Swiss Reject Higher Fees for Truck Owners

ZURICH, Switzerland — Swiss voters decisively rejected a proposal Sunday that would have sharply increased highway fees levied on owners of heavy trucks because of the damage their vehicles cause to the environment.

Government officials said the proposal failed in a referendum to win a majority in any of the country’s 26 cantons and was defeated nationally 66% to 34%. The turnout was 34%.

An official study published last month showed that half of Switzerland’s trees have been damaged by vehicle and industrial emissions. An increased levy on trucks was backed by environmentalists but opposed by the government as being anti-competitive.