To coincide with the car summit: information on vehicle tax for e-cars
At the top-level meeting between politicians and the automotive industry, the so-called "car summit", an extension of the e-car bonus is being discussed. The German government wants to extend this bonus until 2025. Up to now, the purchase of an electric car has been subsidized with up to 9,000 euros, which also includes hybrids. But do electric car drivers also enjoy tax benefits?
Tax incentives for electric cars
In Germany, the state promotes electric vehicles in the interests of environmental protection. Depending on their initial registration, they are generally exempt from vehicle tax for a certain period of time.
The following regulation applies:
| First registration | Tax exemption |
|---|---|
| Before 17.05.2011 | 5 years | Between 18.05.2011 and 31.12.2020 | 10 years |
Tax benefits for e-hybrid vehicles
Hybrid vehicles, for example a car with an internal combustion engine and electric drive, are not considered electric cars under the German Motor Vehicle Tax Act (Kraftfahrzeugsteuergesetz, KraftStG) and are therefore not exempt from tax. While the purchase of a hybrid car is still subsidized with a premium, they are excluded from all tax benefits.
How is the vehicle tax calculated for electric cars?
Once the tax-free period has expired, the electric vehicle must be taxed. The only relevant criterion here is the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle.
The annual vehicle tax for an electric car is calculated as follows for every 200 kg or part thereof:
| Permissible total weight | Per 200 kg or part thereof |
|---|---|
| Up to 2,000 kg | 5,625 Euro |
| 2,001 - 3,000 kg | 6,01 Euro |
| 3,011 - 3,500 kg | 6,39 Euro |
The amounts are always rounded up to the nearest cent. These rates are based on Section 9 (2) KraftStG and make up around 50% of the rate to be charged for other vehicles.
Calculation example:
One popular electric car, for example, is the Tesla Model S 60 kWh with a gross vehicle weight of 2590 kg.
2590 / 200 = 12.95 (rounded up to 13)
13 x 6.01 = 78.13 euros
There are other lucrative tax regulations for electric company cars in particular. If you have any questions about the tax aspects of electric vehicles, you can contact us at any time.
