The Craftsmen of Public Works and Landscape denounce the questioning for the construction industry of the TICPE on the GNR Non-Road Diesel

The context

Remember that to date there is no “clean”, operational and financially accessible equipment to replace our construction machinery.

Whether with new generation engines, hybrid, electric solutions or hydrogen developments, manufacturers are moving forward but are telling the CNATP that they are not ready. Removing GNR to push companies to invest in other types of energy is nonsense since these are not operational.

It should also be remembered that the RNG consumed today in machinery is mainly a red-tinted diesel fuel with additives (“Excellium” type, for example at Total Energies); GNR, based on “superior” diesel, is thus more efficient and less polluting than a simple road diesel that would be used tomorrow if GNR were to disappear.

Secondly, in the current economic context:

• cash flow in constant deterioration since 2021,
• inflation of materials and fuels,
• order books which accentuate a deterioration this quarter due in particular to the drastic fall in new housing in 2023 and the collapse of real estate transactions this spring (which usually results in renovation and embellishment work for our companies in the weeks and following months),
• (...)

This measure would further weaken businesses.

The increase in GNR taxation from 2024 could also prove to be counterproductive because it will weaken the equity of companies and will no longer leave them the means to carry out this energy transition desired by all when the virtuous equipment will be available and affordable. .

Finally, the CNATP also wishes to alert you to the significant risk of a resurgence of fuel thefts that professionals will suffer and to which will be added the deterioration of equipment.

The majority of sites, especially in the territories, cannot be secured and are therefore the subject of many crimes.

Only the color of the diesel makes it possible to restrict and detect thefts.

Moreover, the disappearance of GNR for the construction industry is likely to create even more unfair competition from the agricultural sector, which could be led to carry out even more public works sites with fuel at very advantageous prices.

Pending an offer of available equipment, a more favorable economic context, solutions to the risks of theft and distortion of competition, the CNATP expected a postponement of the abolition of the GNR to January 1, 2030.

On the new proposals of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty

Bercy is now considering gradual progress, taking into account the reality of the lack of an immediate alternative solution (alternative vehicles or fuels) by spreading the additional taxation of 900 million euros on GNR over seven years from 2024 to 2030.

Mr. Bruno Le Maire also mentioned that “this transition must be gradual, accompanied and fair. These are the three conditions for the success of this transition. »

Companies will find it difficult to integrate additional charges and this tax back into their markets but, in the current context, they will not be able to accept that this transition is not fair!

The ministry has indeed indicated to the CNATP that the taxation of “agricultural” GNR could also be reviewed, but far from the complete abolition that the construction sector will experience.

If there is already a distortion of competition between public works and landscaping companies and those in the agricultural sector working on construction sites and in particular linked to the TICPE on the GNR (current difference on the GNR of 14,96 centimes of euro per litre), this difference will worsen from 2024 to 2030.

In the absence of a precise timetable from Bercy for the various measures envisaged, the tax difference could at best be 35 euro cents per liter and at worst more than 55 cents.

The construction sector will in no way accept this aggravated distortion of competition!

The CNATP requires that the conditions of the minister qualifying the transition be respected as "progressive, accompanied and fair" and in the aforementioned perspectives, fairness is lacking.