By Maria Kalamatas | May 7, 2025
Brussels, BELGIUM —
As the EU’s new Electronic European Toll System (EETS) enters full implementation across major corridors, freight carriers and truck operators are encountering unexpected delays and financial discrepancies, raising concerns about readiness and system harmonization.
Launched with the goal of streamlining toll payments across borders, EETS promised to eliminate redundant toll boxes and reduce transit times for long-haul truckers operating across Europe. But the first month of integration has revealed significant mismatches between toll operators’ databases and actual road usage logs.
“We had three trucks double-charged last week—one in Germany, another in Austria, and one in France,” said Peter Holtz, Operations Director at NordicLink Transport. “The promise was simplification. What we’ve seen is early chaos.”
Disruptions ripple through supply chains
The glitches are more than administrative. Several carriers report drivers being stopped at toll booths due to unrecognized on-board units (OBUs), resulting in hours-long delays and costly rerouting.
According to the European Road Freight Alliance, average delivery windows on key Rotterdam–Lyon and Munich–Prague routes have increased by 6% since April. Some carriers are reverting to older manual toll systems to avoid penalties, undermining the purpose of EETS entirely.
Pushback from SMEs and regional carriers
Small and mid-sized hauliers are especially affected, with many still waiting on certified EETS providers to complete onboarding or resolve billing issues.
“We weren’t consulted in the rollout phase,” said Marcela Králová, Founder of EastGate Logistics in Slovakia. “Now we’re paying the price—literally and operationally.”
In Poland, the National Hauliers Association has filed a formal complaint to the European Commission, requesting a phased delay for enforcement.
Commission response: growing pains or systemic flaw?
EU Mobility Commissioner Hans Reuter acknowledged the issues, but insisted the system would stabilize within the quarter. “There is no turning back. EETS is essential for a greener, more efficient logistics network in Europe,” he said in a May 3 briefing.
However, critics argue that inadequate testing, poor coordination with national toll agencies, and a lack of contingency planning have turned a transformative idea into a logistical minefield.
“We agree with the vision,” Holtz added. “But the execution has left us scrambling.”
