THE European Union (EU) Council of Ministers has approved rules shaping road-charging systems across the EU for vans and lorries of 3.5 tonnes and above.

This updated 'Eurovignette' directive replaces legislation applying to lorries exceeding 12 tonnes. With peripheral EU states favouring low charges, while central countries crossed by pan-European routes preferred higher tolls, the EU's Luxembourg presidency struggled to secure compromise. But an agreed directive allows leeway on charges. They can be doubled or lowered to zero to encourage drivers to travel when congestion is low or to use less polluting vehicles.

An extra 15% can be levied to fund an alternative transport infrastructure and 25% for cross-frontier mountain projects.