Tolls are undergoing a big technological shift – with significant implications for road transport operators. AS 24, a subsidiary of IRU member TotalEnergies, made a strong technological bet four years ago that is now paying off for its customers.
As part of our ongoing analysis and coverage of tolling systems in Europe, we asked Émilie Yonnet, AS 24’s Head of Marketing, to walk us through the latest developments, challenges and solutions.
What’s the latest status?
Across Europe, road toll systems are entering a decisive phase of modernisation, marked by an unprecedented acceleration in the deployment of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS).
Driven by regions, countries and local authorities, several road networks are being overhauled: expansion of existing coverage areas, creation of new perimeters, and, above all, the gradual phase-out of legacy technologies such as 2G, alongside the widespread adoption of GNSS.
The pace of change is not uniform, but the direction is clear: GNSS is becoming the standard for all new tolling domains.
Some countries have already deployed a national satellite-based toll system for heavy goods vehicles, while others are finalising their transition.
In the Netherlands, a GNSS system will cover the entire motorway network and certain national roads from 1 July 2026.
In France, Alsace and then the Grand Est are also adopting this approach, specifically on routes where high traffic density and cross-border flows converge.
This transformation is significant. It directly affects operators and toll solution providers. While the EU promotes interoperability through a directive, each country retains its own specific features: tariffs, road scope, enforcement mechanisms, and CO₂ differentiation. But one point unites them all: GNSS and 4G are becoming the technical prerequisites for the years ahead.
It is precisely within this shifting landscape that AS 24 has made foundational technological choices since 2022: a bold bet on a 4G on-board unit in partnership with intelligent traffic system solution provider Yunex.
Why is 4G migration a priority?
As 2G is being phased out in many European countries – in some such as France as early as the end of 2026 – a toll device based on end-of-life technology is risky.
In particular, it may no longer be possible to carry out technical updates, meaning that on-board units could cease to be accepted in the countries concerned, potentially resulting in vehicle immobilisation or fines.
By contrast, 4G ensures faster, more stable and more reliable communication between on-board units and tolling systems.
How is AS 24 helping with this transition?
We anticipated this shift four years ago by rolling out our 4G multi-technology (GNSS/DSRC) on-board unit on a large scale.
This head start has enabled us to add new countries and respond quickly to regulatory changes seamlessly for our customers, for example:
- The addition of Switzerland
- Regulatory developments related to CO₂-based tolling in several countries
- Other changes implemented within very short timeframes without operational impact
This gives our customers greater peace of mind, as they will not need to replace their on-board units in the coming months.
Why was the creation of your on-board unit a ‘bold’ decision?
At the time of its launch, the market had not yet clearly shifted towards 4G and GNSS. We made a strong technological bet: selecting a supplier capable of meeting future GNSS requirements and anticipating upcoming developments.
Why was this the right decision?
Four very concrete elements:
- Flawless service continuity during the recent launch in Switzerland, for example, and other migrations: remote activation within an hour, no customer action required, total reliability
- Proven operational robustness during large-scale updates and enhanced transaction security
- Additional services, including integrated GPS tracking
- Positive feedback from our customers and partners
What links the end of 2G and partnering with Yunex?
The link is obvious: the end of 2G requires a rapid transition to on-board units capable of operating across all new GNSS tolling domains.
We have a solution that is:
- 100% 4G, multi-frequency and multi-operator, using GNSS/DSRC multi-technology
- Compatible with future tolling domains in the Netherlands, Alsace, the Grand Est, CO₂-based schemes, and more
This choice limits the need for physical replacements, secures compliance, and protects our customers from service disruptions.
A bold choice yesterday, a strategic advantage today for our offering and peace of mind for our customers.
How is AS 24 anticipating new taxation schemes?
We are currently in the final phase of accreditation in the Netherlands. Our accreditation is expected very soon, enabling our customers to operate smoothly in this new GNSS tolling domain from day one, without any action required on their part, thanks to our 4G OBU.
At the same time, France is continuing its own transition with the introduction of the first new tolling scheme in Alsace, followed by the wider Grand Est region. Here again, we are preparing to integrate these new areas without requiring any hardware changes for our customers.
About AS 24
AS 24 is a European leader in refuelling HGVs. It is recognised for the quality and relevance of its offer, the density and scale of its network of service stations, and the security of all the transactions carried out on its network.