Some European truckers would cheer and others would boo a plan by the European Union Commission to set a single rate of diesel fuel tax for trucks across Europe.

British and German truckers are expected to cheer the plan, having long pushed for cheaper fuel. Under the plan, Britain’s excise duties on diesel fuel would have to be cut by more than 50 percent over the next seven years. Germany would have to cut its rates by about 25 percent. But in other countries, such as Spain, Portugal and Luxumbourg, would have to raise their tax rates.
Starting in 2006, the commission says it wants a minimum duty of 36 euro cents per liter $$1.36 per gallon), up from the current $28.7 euro cents per liter ($1.09 per gallon).
The commission says the measures would eliminate “serious distortions in competition” that exist currently, where truckers from low-taxation member countries get an unfair advantage.
The measure must be approved by all EU countries before it can become law.