Germany – Austria CO2 TAX
To encourage companies to renew their fleets with less polluting vehicles, European directive no. 2022/362 of 22 February 2022 includes an obligation to incorporate a tax on the CO2 emitted by transport vehicles into toll charges.
A €200 “surcharge” per tonne of CO2 in addition to the existing toll has been announced.
AXXÈS CAN HELP YOU
To minimise the administrative management linked to the CO₂ tax, i.e. class, registration and invoicing of CO₂, Axxès provides you with an Excel document that you can fill in and send back to us.
Without the appropriate CO₂ emission class, your vehicles will automatically be assigned to the least favourable category.
USEFUL INFO
Which dates are important to remember and who is affected?
Commercial vehicles affected by the CO2 tax are those in vehicle categories N2/N3 with a technically permissible total mass (F1):
- > 7.5 tonnes, on 1/12/23 in Germany
- > 3.5 tonnes, on 1/01/24 in Austria
- > 3.5 tonnes, on 1/07/24 in Germany
NB: the definition of the weight category has changed!
As of 1/12/2023 in Germany, the weight category entered in F1 on the registration certificate must be used, and no longer the one in F2.
This means that vehicles can be classified in a heavier weight category or be subject to tolls. As such, the weight category must be set on the OBU according to the F1 weight.
In Germany, toll exemption for vehicles running on LNG will end on 31 December 2023. They will be subject to tolls as of 1 January 2024, but will be able to move up in CO2 emission class due to their low CO2 emissions.
What needs to be done on your end?
1/ First, check if you are eligible!
This depends on the vehicle’s first registration date.
If it was first registered after 1 July 2019, an improved CO2 emission class can be requested and registered with the appropriate proof.
However, you should check each vehicle individually as they may not systematically benefit from an improved class.
2/ Register each of your vehicles’ CO2 emission class
Find out today if your vehicle qualifies for an improved CO2 emission class by clicking on this simulator.
From 1/12/2023 onwards, if you fail to register and your vehicle is over 7.5T, you will be billed at the most expensive rate when driving in Germany.
If you update your vehicles’ CO2 data for Germany, no other steps will be required for Austria as of 01/01/2024.
3/ Update your OBUs!
As a reminder, your OBU must be continuously plugged into an electric power supply at all times. Update the weight-related information directly in your OBU.
