Vehicle tax in the canton of Nidwalden: how is it calculated?
For a passenger car, the canton uses: engine capacity, with reductions for alternative drives.
Good to know: The order of priority between reductions still needs 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 190.00
- Tax based on engine capacity (999 cm³)CHF 190.00
- Total per yearCHF 190.00
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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 265.00
- Tax based on engine capacity (1'498 cm³)CHF 265.00
- Total per yearCHF 265.00
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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 340.00
- Tax based on engine capacity (1'968 cm³)CHF 340.00
- Total per yearCHF 340.00
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Electric car208 kW, empty weight 1'850 kg, total weight 2'255 kg Not available
Nidwalden taxes electric cars on a weight scale that is not yet available here.
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125 scooter9 kW, 125 cm³, total weight 300 kg CHF 60.00
- Tax based on engine capacity (125 cm³)CHF 60.00
- Total per yearCHF 60.00
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Large motorcycle100 kW, 1'254 cm³, total weight 465 kg CHF 140.00
- Tax based on engine capacity (1'254 cm³)CHF 140.00
- Total per yearCHF 140.00
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3.5-tonne van110 kW, 2'143 cm³, empty weight 2'100 kg, total weight 3'500 kg CHF 480.00
- Tax based on total weight (3'500 kg)CHF 480.00
- Total per yearCHF 480.00
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3.5-tonne motorhome103 kW, 2'287 cm³, empty weight 2'900 kg, total weight 3'500 kg CHF 480.00
- Tax based on total weight (3'500 kg)CHF 480.00
- Total per yearCHF 480.00
Comparison with the other cantons
For the typical family car, Nidwalden ranks 6 out of 26 (1 = cheapest). Average of the cantons: CHF 349.37.
Frequently asked questions
How is vehicle tax calculated in the canton of Nidwalden?
For a passenger car, the canton uses: engine capacity, with reductions for alternative drives. 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 Nidwalden?
Nidwalden taxes electric cars on a weight scale that is not yet available here.
How much do plates cost for a motorcycle in the canton of Nidwalden?
About CHF 60.00 per year for a 125 scooter, and CHF 140.00 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