Vehicle Tax Calculator 2026

Since September 2018, German vehicle tax (Kfz-Steuer) for passenger cars consists of two components: a displacement component and a CO₂ component. The displacement rate is €2.00 per started 100 cc for petrol engines and €9.50 for diesel. The CO₂ component is progressive — the first 95 g/km are tax-free, and above that the rate increases in six brackets from €2.00 to €4.50 per g/km. Older vehicles (registered before September 2018) are taxed based on their emission standard instead.

Annual vehicle tax depends on vehicle type, fuel, engine displacement, CO₂ emissions, and first registration date. A typical compact petrol car with 1,400 cc and 120 g/km CO₂ pays about €78 per year. A comparable diesel with 1,600 cc and 110 g/km costs around €184. Electric vehicles registered before 2026 are completely tax-free until the end of 2030. Use our calculator above to determine the exact amount for your vehicle.

Yes, pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with first registration up to and including December 31, 2025 are exempt from vehicle tax until December 31, 2030. This exemption does not apply to plug-in hybrids, as they have a combustion engine. After the exemption expires, weight-based taxation is planned. For EVs registered from 2026 onwards, the tax exemption no longer applies and a new calculation model is expected.

The most significant change in 2026 concerns electric vehicles: only EVs registered by the end of 2025 will continue to enjoy the tax exemption until 2030. Electric vehicles registered from 2026 will likely be subject to weight-based taxation. For combustion vehicles with CO₂-based taxation, the calculation basis remains unchanged in 2026 — the progressive CO₂ brackets and the 95 g/km free threshold are maintained. Emission-standard-based rates for older vehicles also remain the same.

The CO₂ portion of vehicle tax is progressive and applies to passenger cars registered from September 2018. The first 95 g/km are tax-free. Above that, rates increase in brackets: 96–115 g/km at €2.00/g, 116–135 g/km at €2.50/g, 136–155 g/km at €3.00/g, 156–175 g/km at €3.50/g, 176–195 g/km at €4.00/g, and €4.50/g above 195 g/km. A vehicle with 150 g/km CO₂ pays significantly more than one with 120 g/km — the difference is roughly €85 per year.

Yes, diesel vehicles pay a higher displacement component: €9.50 per started 100 cc compared to €2.00 for petrol engines. This surcharge compensates for the lower energy tax (mineral oil tax) on diesel fuel. However, diesels typically have lower CO₂ emissions, so the CO₂ component is smaller. For a typical mid-size car, the total tax for a diesel is still higher than for a comparable petrol vehicle, though the difference is offset at high annual mileages by better fuel economy.

Motorhomes are taxed based on gross vehicle weight and emission standard. The rate per started 200 kg is: €16 for Euro 4 and better, €24 for Euro 3, €32 for Euro 2, and €40 for Euro 1 or worse. There is an annual cap of €800 for motorhomes with Euro 4 or better, and €1,000 for older emission classes. Engine displacement and CO₂ emissions are not relevant for motorhome taxation.

NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) and WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) are measurement procedures for CO₂ emissions. Since September 1, 2018, all new registrations use the more realistic WLTP value as the basis for vehicle tax. WLTP values are typically 10–25% higher than the old NEDC values, as the test cycle is closer to real-world driving. Vehicles registered before September 2018 continue to be taxed based on their emission standard rather than CO₂.

Yes, significantly. Switching from an older diesel to a modern petrol car or an electric vehicle can reduce annual vehicle tax by several hundred euros. An EV registered before 2026 eliminates the tax entirely (until 2030). Even among combustion vehicles, comparison pays off: a car with 100 g/km CO₂ pays only €10 in CO₂ tax, while an SUV with 200 g/km incurs over €350. Use our comparison calculator to quantify the exact savings for your situation.

You can find the official CO₂ value of your vehicle in the registration certificate Part I (Fahrzeugschein) under field V.7. For new vehicles, the WLTP value is also listed in the COC document (Certificate of Conformity) and in the manufacturer’s technical specifications. Alternatively, you can look it up at the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) using the type approval number. Make sure to use the WLTP value, as it has been the basis for vehicle tax calculation since September 2018.