The so-called infrastructure levy will come into effect from 2016 at which point foreign drivers will need to pay for the use of German highways and state-owned road whilst German drivers will be exempt.

The plans were initially criticised by the VDIK, which said the infrastructure levy is ‘unfair, a bureaucratic monster, and ecologically pointless, and believes that it will ultimately not generate any significant revenue. Moreover, the VDIK is still doubtful as to its compatibility with EU law.’

However, the organisation has now said that the move will bring about good news, saying: ‘The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure can now once again turn its attention to the transport infrastructure and other important tasks pertaining to the German transport industry that keep Germany competitive as an industrial location.’

VDIK president Volker Lange added: ‘The Federal Transport Ministry can and should now finally tackle the urgently needed transport infrastructure projects and earmark the new revenue from the infrastructure levy for the road transport infrastructure. After decades of chronic underfunding, this would be a first step in creating a transparent basis for the funding of upgrades to and new construction of highways. In addition, by earmarking the revenue exclusively for road transport infrastructure projects, the federal government would send a clear political signal that it wants to restore the capacity and efficiency of Germany's federal roads.’