Vehicle tax in the canton of Basel-Stadt: how is it calculated?
For a passenger car, the canton uses: empty weight and CO₂.
Good to know: The electric car discount and the case without a CO₂ value still need confirmation.
Worked examples 2026
Estimated amounts for typical vehicles first registered in 2022. Open an example to see the calculation in detail.
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Small petrol car70 kW, 999 cm³, empty weight 1'150 kg, total weight 1'620 kg, CO₂ 125 g/km (WLTP) CHF 343.75
- Tax based on empty weight (1'150 kg)CHF 143.75
- Tax based on CO₂ (125 g/km × CHF 1.60)CHF 200.00
- Total per yearCHF 343.75
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Petrol family car110 kW, 1'498 cm³, empty weight 1'320 kg, total weight 1'850 kg, CO₂ 132 g/km (WLTP) CHF 376.20
- Tax based on empty weight (1'320 kg)CHF 165.00
- Tax based on CO₂ (132 g/km × CHF 1.60)CHF 211.20
- Total per yearCHF 376.20
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Diesel SUV150 kW, 1'968 cm³, empty weight 1'900 kg, total weight 2'500 kg, CO₂ 170 g/km (WLTP) CHF 509.50
- Tax based on empty weight (1'900 kg)CHF 237.50
- Tax based on CO₂ (170 g/km × CHF 1.60)CHF 272.00
- Total per yearCHF 509.50
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Electric car208 kW, empty weight 1'850 kg, total weight 2'255 kg CHF 115.62
- Tax based on empty weight (1'850 kg)CHF 231.25
- Electric car reduction (50 %)− CHF 115.63
- Total per yearCHF 115.62
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125 scooter9 kW, 125 cm³, total weight 300 kg CHF 58.00
- Tax based on engine capacity (125 cm³)CHF 58.00
- Total per yearCHF 58.00
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Large motorcycle100 kW, 1'254 cm³, total weight 465 kg CHF 130.00
- Tax based on engine capacity (1'254 cm³)CHF 130.00
- Total per yearCHF 130.00
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3.5-tonne van110 kW, 2'143 cm³, empty weight 2'100 kg, total weight 3'500 kg CHF 424.00
- Tax based on payload (1'400 kg)CHF 424.00
- Total per yearCHF 424.00
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3.5-tonne motorhome103 kW, 2'287 cm³, empty weight 2'900 kg, total weight 3'500 kg CHF 519.00
- Tax based on engine capacity (2'287 cm³)CHF 519.00
- Total per yearCHF 519.00
Comparison with the other cantons
For the typical family car, Basel-Stadt ranks 17 out of 26 (1 = cheapest). Average of the cantons: CHF 349.37.
Frequently asked questions
How is vehicle tax calculated in the canton of Basel-Stadt?
For a passenger car, the canton uses: empty weight and CO₂. Motorcycles, vans and motorhomes have their own scales, detailed in the examples.
How much do plates cost for an electric car in the canton of Basel-Stadt?
For a typical electric car (208 kW, empty weight 1'850 kg, total weight 2'255 kg), the 2026 tax is estimated at CHF 115.62 per year.
How much do plates cost for a motorcycle in the canton of Basel-Stadt?
About CHF 58.00 per year for a 125 scooter, and CHF 130.00 for a large motorcycle (2026 examples).
Where can I find my vehicle’s data?
All the data you need is on the registration document. On calculplaques.ch, just enter the make and model, or the code from box 24: the official data is found automatically.
Is the amount official?
No: it is an independent estimate based on the canton’s 2026 rates. Only the decision of the cantonal vehicle office is binding.
Independent estimates based on the 2026 cantonal rates (official websites and the TCS comparison). Only the decision of the cantonal vehicle office is binding. Reductions that depend on the energy category or the exact date of first registration may vary. See the source