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Proposal to Charge Per Kilometer Driven on Spanish Highways Could Transform the Country’s Road Financing Model, Affecting Drivers, Public Budget, and Road Maintenance in the Coming Years.
The debate about the charge for the use of highways is gaining momentum in Spain, driven by the proposal from SEOPAN, the Association of Construction and Infrastructure Concession Companies.
The organization advocates for the implementation of a new financing model for the Spanish road network, based on the charging of fees per kilometer driven, both for light and heavy vehicles.
The suggestion aims to reduce the multi-billion deficit in the sector, seek greater financial sustainability, and lessen the burden of maintenance costs on the national public budget.
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Toll-Free Highways Account for 68% of the European Network
According to SEOPAN, Spain presents a unique scenario in the European context: it accounts for about 68% of the toll-free kilometers of highways across the European Union.
This means that while Spanish drivers pay fees to drive in other European countries, foreign drivers travel on Spanish soil without directly contributing to the maintenance of local roads.
According to updated data from the association, the country has approximately 13,674 kilometers of toll-free intercity highways, which corresponds to nearly 70% of the total of this type of infrastructure on the continent.
Fee Proposal and Estimated Billion-Euro Revenue
The proposal under discussion anticipates charging an average fee of 3 cents per kilometer for light vehicles, such as passenger cars, and 14 cents per kilometer for heavy vehicles, like trucks and buses.
According to SEOPAN, adopting this system would be sufficient to generate a total estimated revenue of 143 billion euros over 25 years, which would represent an average of 5.72 billion euros per year.
Furthermore, the association claims that this amount would allow reducing the investment deficit in the sector, currently estimated at 11.494 billion euros, as well as ensuring a savings of 41.038 billion euros in public spending over the projected period.
Impact of the Model on the Spanish Public Budget
Currently, the maintenance of the extensive Spanish road network almost exclusively depends on public budget resources.
This means that the entire financial burden falls on taxpayers, regardless of whether they use the highways or not, which limits investments in essential areas such as health, education, and pensions.
SEOPAN argues that implementing the pay-per-use system would make the model fairer and more balanced, aligning Spain with practices adopted in other European countries.
Social Resistance and History of Attempts
The topic, however, is not new in the country.
In recent years, several attempts to introduce tolls or fees on Spanish highways have faced significant resistance from society and political sectors.
In response to the criticism, the Spanish government has suspended similar projects in the past, opting instead to create so-called Low Emission Zones (LEZs), which restrict the circulation of more polluting vehicles in urban areas.
These initiatives, however, have not solved the structural problem of road financing, which remains one of the major challenges for both the public and private sectors.
Comparison with Other European Countries and Modes of Transport
Experts point out that the absence of a charge for the use of highways makes the Spanish model an exception in the European context.
In countries like France, Italy, and Portugal, the toll system has been established for decades, and the funds collected are directed towards the maintenance and expansion of the road network.
Additionally, comparisons with the railway, maritime, and air transport sectors show that in those modes, users pay specific fees for the use of infrastructures, which does not happen in the Spanish road system.
SEOPAN emphasizes that implementing the new model would ensure greater balance and efficiency in the allocation of resources, as well as stimulate private investments in infrastructure.
Sustainability, Decarbonization, and Social Concerns
Another frequently used argument by proponents of the proposal is the necessity to align the road financing model with sustainability and decarbonization policies.
With fees based on usage, there would be an incentive for the adoption of collective transport and less polluting alternatives, reducing pressure on highways and contributing to the environmental goals set by the European Union.
Conversely, entities linked to the road transport sector, as well as consumer associations, express concern about the economic impact of the measure, especially for low-income families and small businesses that rely on road transport.
Government Debate and Future of Per Kilometer Charging
The Spanish government, for its part, has not yet formally announced the adoption of the proposal but acknowledges the need to seek sustainable solutions for financing and maintaining road infrastructure.
The debate remains open, with discussions occurring in the parliament, business associations, and civil entities, highlighting the complexity of the topic and the different interests at play.
How do you evaluate the proposal to replace traditional tolls with a charge proportional to the use of highways? Do you think it would be a good idea in Brazil?
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