Data released this week indicates a slight decrease in the distance traveled by toll-paying trucks with a minimum of four axles on German federal highways. According to figures published jointly by the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) and the Statistical Federal Office (Destatis), the truck toll mileage performance index declined by 0.8 percent in June 2025 compared to the previous month.
When adjusted for calendar variations, the index showed a year-on-year reduction of 1.1 percent. Officials at both agencies note that truck mileage on highways often serves as an early indicator of the current state of industrial activity.
The connection between economic activity and transportation needs is particularly strong. Statisticians emphasize a significant correlation exists between the truck toll mileage performance index and indicators of economic activity, specifically the production index for the manufacturing sector. The observed decline in truck mileage is being watched closely as a potential signal regarding broader economic trends.