[C] No, we are not talking about a football match (unfortunately).
But about another type of competition — that of planning, transparency, and the way a country communicates major changes in transport.
On July 1, 2026, the new taxation system for heavy vehicles will come into force in the Netherlands.
So far, nothing spectacular… and yet, the way public communication was built around this project is an example of clarity and coherence.
How the Dutch did it
The Dutch Government:
⚫ announced the road tax launch date 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
⚫ created a unique 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝘂𝗯 (https://lnkd.in/dwik9DCV), where you can find all the information: who pays, on which roads, how tariffs are calculated, how EETS providers are involved, and what the implementation steps are.
⚫ invited transport authorities, associations, and industry companies to dialogue and collaboration.
The tax, although significant in financial impact, was presented as a strategic national initiative, not just a new fiscal obligation.
The collected funds are directed toward infrastructure and sustainability projects in transport.
It was built as a business project — with clear stages, responsibilities, and milestones. Just like in the simplest project management plan: without well-defined objectives, deadlines, responsibilities, and constant evaluation, any initiative risks remaining just a good idea lost along the way.
Learn from the experience of others
The system is publicly documented, transparent, and accessible for carriers and EETS providers.
Moreover, the Netherlands learned from the experience of other states. For example, Denmark already introduced a per-kilometer taxation system on January 1, 2025, and the Dutch authorities revised certain aspects of the project in July 2025, adapting it before the launch.
Clarity, long-term planning, coordinated communication between institutions, consistent messages — all these elements build trust.
They transform a taxation project into an infrastructure initiative with visibility, its own brand, and impact.
And now… Romania
Also on July 1, 2026, the launch of the new TollRO road taxation system is planned.
A project with similar ambition — but which needs coherence and communication just as much.
How could we get closer to the Dutch model?
Where can we be more transparent, more consistent, more coordinated?
Perhaps the difference doesn’t lie only in infrastructure.
Perhaps the difference lies in the way we organize the teams that think it up.
A national project of such magnitude needs not only political decisions, but also:
- specialists who understand the entire ecosystem — from taxes and finance to infrastructure and environment;
- a communication team capable of explaining clearly, not just announcing;
- project managers who see the connections between institutions, companies, providers, and drivers;
- and, yes, branding — because an infrastructure project becomes real when people understand it, recognize it, and trust it.
Instead of a conclusion…
A taxation system can be viewed as a burden or as a modernization project.
The difference is made by the way it is communicated.
Transparency, dialogue, and coherence are not just marketing attributes — they are elements of good governance.
And perhaps, before building better roads, we should start by building more solid communication bridges between all those who use them.