The European Commission (EC) has launched an infringement case against Germany’s new road charging scheme for cars, which is also occasionally referred to as the ‘toll for foreigners’.

On 8 June, the country passed a law that will ensure all vehicles registered in Germany from not paying the road charge as their vehicle tax bill will be reduced by the exact amount of the charge.

According to the EC, the new road charging scheme for cars burdens EU-foreigners more than German users.

"We are now acting swiftly to clarify these doubts through an infringement procedure in the interest of EU citizens."

Transport commissioner Violeta Bulc said: "A toll system can only be compliant with European law if it respects the fundamental Treaty principle of non-discrimination.

"We have serious doubts that this is the case in the final text of the relevant German laws.

"We are now acting swiftly to clarify these doubts through an infringement procedure in the interest of EU citizens."

Additionally, the commission said that the price of short term vignettes, which are typically bought by foreign users, is disproportionally high.

Furthermore, the EC said that the road charge adopted by Germany is not proportionate to how often roads are actually used and is not in line with the aims of the Commission 2011 White Paper on transport.

The EC will now gear up to engage in dialogue with the German authorities, who will have two months to respond to the commission’s arguments issued in the letter of formal notice.