AMT recommends distance-based taxation for heavy vehicles in Portugal

The Mobility and Transport Authority (AMT) has released a study titled ‘Financiamento da Rede Rodoviária’ (Road Network Financing), which recommends a new funding model for Portugal's road infrastructure. The report argues that the current model, which relies heavily on toll revenue and the Road Service Assignment (CSR) derived from fuel taxes, is no longer sufficient for future maintenance and management.

The study highlights that the transition toward decarbonization and electric vehicles poses a significant financial risk. As fuel consumption decreases, CSR revenues are expected to drop, with estimates suggesting an annual reduction of 140 to 200 million euros by 2030 due to increased electric mobility. Additionally, toll revenues have seen declines due to legislative exemptions.

To address these challenges, the AMT proposes a hybrid model. This approach includes maintaining public-private partnerships (PPP), diversifying revenue sources, and strengthening the ‘user-pays’ principle, specifically by recommending that heavy and commercial vehicles be taxed based on the kilometers they travel.