Vehicle tax in the canton of St. Gallen: how is it calculated?
For a passenger car, the canton uses: total weight and power, depending on the energy category.
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 383.74
- Total weight component (1'620 kg)CHF 294.84
- Power component (70 kW × CHF 1.27)CHF 88.90
- Total per yearCHF 383.74
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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 476.40
- Total weight component (1'850 kg)CHF 336.70
- Power component (110 kW × CHF 1.27)CHF 139.70
- Total per yearCHF 476.40
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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 645.50
- Total weight component (2'500 kg)CHF 455.00
- Power component (150 kW × CHF 1.27)CHF 190.50
- Total per yearCHF 645.50
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Electric car208 kW, empty weight 1'850 kg, total weight 2'255 kg CHF 674.57
- Total weight component (2'255 kg)CHF 410.41
- Power component (208 kW × CHF 1.27)CHF 264.16
- Total per yearCHF 674.57
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125 scooter9 kW, 125 cm³, total weight 300 kg CHF 66.03
- Total weight component (300 kg)CHF 54.60
- Power component (9 kW × CHF 1.27)CHF 11.43
- Total per yearCHF 66.03
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Large motorcycle100 kW, 1'254 cm³, total weight 465 kg CHF 211.63
- Total weight component (465 kg)CHF 84.63
- Power component (100 kW × CHF 1.27)CHF 127.00
- Total per yearCHF 211.63
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3.5-tonne van110 kW, 2'143 cm³, empty weight 2'100 kg, total weight 3'500 kg CHF 910.00
- Tax based on total weight (3'500 kg)CHF 910.00
- Total per yearCHF 910.00
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3.5-tonne motorhome103 kW, 2'287 cm³, empty weight 2'900 kg, total weight 3'500 kg CHF 910.00
- Tax based on total weight (3'500 kg)CHF 910.00
- Total per yearCHF 910.00
Comparison with the other cantons
For the typical family car, St. Gallen ranks 23 out of 26 (1 = cheapest). Average of the cantons: CHF 349.37.
Frequently asked questions
How is vehicle tax calculated in the canton of St. Gallen?
For a passenger car, the canton uses: total weight and power, depending on the energy category. 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 St. Gallen?
For a typical electric car (208 kW, empty weight 1'850 kg, total weight 2'255 kg), the 2026 tax is estimated at CHF 674.57 per year.
How much do plates cost for a motorcycle in the canton of St. Gallen?
About CHF 66.03 per year for a 125 scooter, and CHF 211.63 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.