In a press release dated 1 October 2026, the French road haulage federation (FNTR) calls on hauliers in the Grand Est region to rally on 15 October outside the Grand Est Regional Council headquarters in Strasbourg. It demands the suspension of the R-Pass, the per-kilometre truck tax that the European Collectivity of Alsace (CeA) introduces on 1 January 2027, and of the heavy goods vehicle eco-contribution (ECPL) that the Grand Est Region plans by mid-2027, along with talks with the industry. As of 3 October, the FNTR had announced neither the time nor the format of the action.
What it means for your routes
- Nothing is suspended so far. The CeA is keeping the R-Pass start date of 1 January 2027. The official rates range from 7.1 to 34.5 euro cents per kilometre, depending on gross combination weight and Euro class: 14.6 cents for a Euro VI truck over 32 t. Quote your 2027 prices on that basis.
- Allow extra time in Strasbourg on 15 October. A rally of trucks can slow traffic around the Regional Council headquarters. If you deliver in the Strasbourg area that day, move time-critical slots and check traffic information the day before.
- Foreign trucks pay too. Vehicles registered outside France have the same obligations and must be registered with R-PASS before using a taxed road, then pay through an accredited European toll service (EETS) provider or an e-ticket bought before the trip.
- Cost your Alsace routes with and without the tax. The A35 through Strasbourg is not taxed, but its northern and southern sections, the A36 and four departmental roads are. For a 40 t articulated truck, switching to the German A5 does not help: the German truck toll costs more than twice as much per kilometre.
- Equip occasional vehicles. Without an on-board unit or an e-ticket, the CeA plans to charge a flat 160 km, reduced to 50 km for the first two months, plus a €10 processing fee.
- Negotiate the pass-through with your customers now. According to the FNTR, no mechanism to pass the tax on has been provided: a per-kilometre tax line in your 2027 contracts will only come from you.
- Follow the outcome of the protest. A suspension or a postponement would change the date from which to include this cost. The R-Pass and ECPL guide will be updated.