New exemptions for LNG and CNG vehicles are in place in light of the current sectoral driving ban for trucks in Tyrol. Freight forwarders and transport operators suffer from the restrictions imposed on the Inntal motorway (A12) in Tyrol by temporary and local driving restrictions, including the night driving ban on the Inntal motorway. The legal basis of numerous driving bans, including the night driving ban on the Inntal motorway, is the Immissionsschutzgesetz-Luft (IG-L - Air Pollution Control Act).
Other exemptions include only fully scarce fully electric trucks and hybrid trucks capable of running more than 50 km in only electric mode. Natural Gas (CNG and LNG) is the only massively available diesel alternative that is not affected by the sectoral driving ban in Tyrol.
In addition, LNG has now been classified under gas taxation in Austria and no longer as a liquid, meaning that LNG is no longer subject to mineral oil tax. This applies from 1 January 2020; providing further benefits for the alternative truck drive.
This will give the owners of LNG vehicles and of course operators of vehicles with CNG or combined C-LNG tank equipment significant advantages in the organization and execution of their transport operations. In addition to the ability to plan for the company owners, the drivers in these cases also have a significant relief in terms of their work, avoiding waiting times. In addition, Germany approved methane (Fossil/ Biogas) vehicles, the purchase subsidy of 12,000 euros for LNG and 8,000 euros for CNG.