Vehicle tax in the canton of Zurich: how is it calculated?
For a passenger car, the canton uses: engine capacity and total weight; electric cars exempt.
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 199.00
- Engine capacity component (999 cm³)CHF 69.00
- Total weight component (1'620 kg)CHF 130.00
- Total per yearCHF 199.00
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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 268.00
- Engine capacity component (1'498 cm³)CHF 108.00
- Total weight component (1'850 kg)CHF 160.00
- Total per yearCHF 268.00
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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 578.00
- Engine capacity component (1'968 cm³)CHF 148.00
- Total weight component (2'500 kg)CHF 430.00
- Total per yearCHF 578.00
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Electric car208 kW, empty weight 1'850 kg, total weight 2'255 kg CHF 0.00
- Electric car: exempt in 2026CHF 0.00
- Total per yearCHF 0.00
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125 scooter9 kW, 125 cm³, total weight 300 kg CHF 34.00
- Engine capacity component (125 cm³)CHF 34.00
- Emissions componentCHF 0.00
- Total per yearCHF 34.00
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Large motorcycle100 kW, 1'254 cm³, total weight 465 kg CHF 124.00
- Engine capacity component (1'254 cm³)CHF 124.00
- Emissions componentCHF 0.00
- Total per yearCHF 124.00
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3.5-tonne van110 kW, 2'143 cm³, empty weight 2'100 kg, total weight 3'500 kg CHF 1'138.00
- Engine capacity component (2'143 cm³)CHF 208.00
- Total weight component (3'500 kg)CHF 930.00
- Total per yearCHF 1'138.00
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3.5-tonne motorhome103 kW, 2'287 cm³, empty weight 2'900 kg, total weight 3'500 kg CHF 1'138.00
- Engine capacity component (2'287 cm³)CHF 208.00
- Total weight component (3'500 kg)CHF 930.00
- Total per yearCHF 1'138.00
Comparison with the other cantons
For the typical family car, Zurich ranks 8 out of 26 (1 = cheapest). Average of the cantons: CHF 349.37.
Frequently asked questions
How is vehicle tax calculated in the canton of Zurich?
For a passenger car, the canton uses: engine capacity and total weight; electric cars exempt. 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 Zurich?
For a typical electric car (208 kW, empty weight 1'850 kg, total weight 2'255 kg), the 2026 tax is estimated at CHF 0.00 per year.
How much do plates cost for a motorcycle in the canton of Zurich?
About CHF 34.00 per year for a 125 scooter, and CHF 124.00 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.