In this project, the mobility impacts of the introduction of a system of spatial differentiation of fuel taxes in the Netherlands were investigated. The main achievements of such a system should be: (1) It would stop the undesirable fuelling of cars in the neighbouring countries (Belgium and Germany) where fuel is cheaper due to lower taxes; and (2) the fuel prices rise by increasing distance to the border what implies that the highest fuel prices are to be found in the most congested Randstad area. The research focuses on three themes: (i) The maximum slope of the graduation profile considering an acceptable level of people making extra kilometres only to take cheaper fuel; (ii) The level of tax gains the car drivers can obtain by filling up their car at the cheapest point given their actual mobility pattern; and (iii) the social and political feasibility to actually introduce such a system of differential fuel taxes in the Netherlands.
Abstract