Vehicle tax in the canton of Vaud: how is it calculated?
For a passenger car, the canton uses: total weight and power, then a CO₂ bonus or penalty.
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 142.00
- Total weight component (1'620 kg)CHF 243.00
- Power component (70 kW)CHF 112.00
- CO₂ bonus (125 g/km, WLTP standard, -60 %)− CHF 213.00
- Total per yearCHF 142.00
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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 191.00
- Total weight component (1'850 kg)CHF 277.50
- Power component (110 kW)CHF 200.00
- CO₂ bonus (132 g/km, WLTP standard, -60 %)− CHF 286.50
- Total per yearCHF 191.00
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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 735.00
- Total weight component (2'500 kg)CHF 375.00
- Power component (150 kW)CHF 360.00
- Total per yearCHF 735.00
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Electric car208 kW, empty weight 1'850 kg, total weight 2'255 kg CHF 84.57
- Total weight component (2'255 kg, counted at 75 %)CHF 253.69
- Power component (208 kW)CHF 592.00
- CO₂ bonus (0 g/km, WLTP standard, -90 %)− CHF 761.12
- Total per yearCHF 84.57
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125 scooter9 kW, 125 cm³, total weight 300 kg CHF 109.00
- Tax based on engine capacity (125 cm³)CHF 109.00
- Total per yearCHF 109.00
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Large motorcycle100 kW, 1'254 cm³, total weight 465 kg CHF 351.00
- Tax based on engine capacity (1'254 cm³)CHF 351.00
- Total per yearCHF 351.00
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3.5-tonne van110 kW, 2'143 cm³, empty weight 2'100 kg, total weight 3'500 kg CHF 875.00
- Total weight component (3'500 kg)CHF 675.00
- Power component (110 kW)CHF 200.00
- Total per yearCHF 875.00
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3.5-tonne motorhome103 kW, 2'287 cm³, empty weight 2'900 kg, total weight 3'500 kg CHF 847.00
- Total weight component (3'500 kg)CHF 675.00
- Power component (103 kW)CHF 172.00
- Total per yearCHF 847.00
Comparison with the other cantons
For the typical family car, Vaud ranks 1 out of 26 (1 = cheapest). Average of the cantons: CHF 349.37.
Frequently asked questions
How is vehicle tax calculated in the canton of Vaud?
For a passenger car, the canton uses: total weight and power, then a CO₂ bonus or penalty. 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 Vaud?
For a typical electric car (208 kW, empty weight 1'850 kg, total weight 2'255 kg), the 2026 tax is estimated at CHF 84.57 per year.
How much do plates cost for a motorcycle in the canton of Vaud?
About CHF 109.00 per year for a 125 scooter, and CHF 351.00 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