Swiss President Viola Amherd and head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen declared the successful completion of discussions intended to strengthen the partnership between Switzerland and the European Union. This announcement was made in Bern in December 2024 after eight months of intense dialogue and 200 sessions. Аs a result, both parties consented to a comprehensive set of agreements, including provisions concerning the transportation and distribution of cargo.
Under the updated terms, the European Union will respect various Swiss regulations on road freight transport despite their deviation from EU laws.
40-Tonne Truck Weight Limit
Switzerland’s enforcement of a 40-tonne maximum weight restriction for trucks will continue. This provision likely remains in effect due to Switzerland’s mountainous landscape. On steep inclines which are common in such terrains, vehicles exert additional pressure on the road surface and bridge supports. Sharp curves, in turn, require vehicles to make tight turns which places localized stress on the road. Due to these added stresses on roads in mountainous terrains, heavier trucks may not be permitted. Their weight intensifies structural pressures and increases the likelihood of infrastructural damage.
Cabotage Restrictions
In commercial shipping, foreign-registered vehicles are permitted solely for cross-border freight movements and are barred from carrying out cabotage. This means foreign vehicles can only transport goods in or out such as moving goods from France to Switzerland or from Switzerland to Austria. However, they are not allowed to handle deliveries within the country itself.
In contrast to other European countries that may allow limited cabotage to promote economic integration within the EU, Switzerland, which is not an EU member, likely maintains these restrictions to protect local employment in the transport sector.
Truck Operating Ban
In Switzerland, trucks will continue to be prohibited from operating during nighttime hours and on Sundays. Unlike many EU countries which allow more flexible trucking schedules to prioritize economic efficiency, Switzerland likely upholds these restrictions due to its densely populated regions near major transit routes such as the urban corridors around Zurich, Geneva, and Basel.
Alpine Road Expansion
The Alpine Initiative, established through a 1994 public referendum, will remain in effect. This policy, integral to green logistics, prohibits any expansion of road capacity through the Alps to safeguard the region from environmental harm. The ban on constructing new roads exists because such developments fragment large habitats into smaller, isolated sections which results in a decline in genetic diversity among wildlife populations.
Moreover, restricting road expansion helps preserve natives which serve as important sources of food and shelter for various animal species. It also reduces artificial lighting, so nocturnal animals can move, hunt, and forage in their natural nighttime environments without disruption.
Lastly, fewer roads and vehicles result in reduced emissions and improved air quality for wildlife. This helps prevent respiratory issues such as inflammation of the respiratory tract, reduced lung function, and diseases like bronchitis and asthma caused by prolonged exposure to polluted air.