Why don’t EVs pay CO2 tax?

EVs have zero tailpipe emissions. Norway has used engangsavgift relief plus low VAT (up to 500,000 kr), low annual duty, toll discounts and free parking as incentives to grow the EV share. It’s been very successful; over 80% of new car sales are EVs in 2024. As the EV share grows, incentives are tightened (25% VAT above 500,000 kr from 2023, toll discounts reduced, annual duty phased in).

Why are heavy cars more expensive?

Weight tax starts at 12.71 kr per kg over 500 kg kerb weight (2026). A 2000-kg car gives 1500 × 12.71 = 19,065 kr in weight tax. Historical justification: heavier cars wear roads more, emit more (in ICE times) and use more material to make. Weight tax also hits EVs, whose battery packs add weight. EVs pay no CO2 tax but their weight partly compensates for that.

What about used imports?

For used imports you pay engangsavgift as if new, minus a use deduction based on the car’s age. Reduction is about 40% after 5 years, 60% after 10, up to 85% for very old cars. You also pay 25% VAT on the purchase price (except EVs below 500,000 kr), ≈4.5% customs for cars outside EEA, plus shipping. Registration at Statens vegvesen requires technical approval and a Norwegian roadworthiness test. Worth doing the maths; some cars are worthwhile to import, others not.

Where do I find the CO2 figure for my car?

Newer cars show the WLTP value (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) in the registration certificate, brochure and on the maker’s website. Norwegian tax uses WLTP from 2019 onwards; older cars used NEDC (about 10–20% lower). For an exact check, look up the registration number on Statens vegvesen’s Autosys or vegvesen.no. On used import you need documentation from the origin country with type approval confirming WLTP.

/engangsavgift

Norwegian One-off Vehicle Registration Tax Calculator (2026)

Estimate the Norwegian one-off registration tax from kerb weight and CO2 emissions, using 2026 rates. Electric cars pay only the weight component.

Kerb weight (kg)

CO₂ emissions (g/km) Electric/zero-emission: set 0

Weight component
CO₂ component
Registration tax

How it works

The registration tax is based on the car's kerb weight and CO₂ emissions. The weight component is 0 kr for the first 500 kg, then 12.71 kr per kg. The CO₂ component is only charged for cars with a combustion engine: 800 kr/g for the first 100 g/km, 1,600 kr/g for the next 50, 3,200 kr/g for the next 75, and 5,000 kr/g for the rest. An electric car has zero emissions and therefore pays only the weight component.

The figures are 2026 rates from the Norwegian government's "Avgiftssatser 2026". The NOx component was removed in 2026. When importing a car, value-added tax (25%) and any customs and freight come on top, and used imports get an age-based reduction. This is therefore an estimate. Everything is calculated locally in your browser.

About this tool

The engangsavgift calculator computes Norway’s one-time vehicle registration tax on first registration using 2026 rates. Enter kerb weight (kg) and CO2 emissions (g/km), and see the weight component, CO2 component and total. EVs pay only the weight component (zero CO2). Useful for budgeting a new car, comparing models, evaluating a used import from abroad, or understanding why two cars can differ so much in price. All local.

How to use it

Enter kerb weight in kg.
Enter CO2 emissions in g/km (0 for EV).
See weight and CO2 components calculated separately.
Total engangsavgift shown at the bottom.

Examples

Petrol compact

Input1500 kg, 120 g/km CO2

OutputWeight: NOK 12 710, CO2: NOK 112 000. Total: NOK 124 710

Large EV

Input2000 kg, 0 g/km

OutputWeight: NOK 19 065. CO2: NOK 0. Total: NOK 19 065

EVs pay no CO2 component thanks to Norway’s zero-emission vehicle policy. Note that VAT on EV purchase is 25% from 500,000 kr and up (2024), while below that VAT is waived. Other incentives such as lower tolls and free parking come on top but aren’t part of engangsavgift.

Common use cases

Budgeting the purchase of a new car.
Comparing EV vs hybrid vs ICE economically.
Estimating tax on used imports from abroad.
Understanding why a heavy SUV costs much more than a small car.
Working out total price when a dealer shows "price ex tax".

Frequently asked questions

Why don’t EVs pay CO2 tax?: EVs have zero tailpipe emissions. Norway has used engangsavgift relief plus low VAT (up to 500,000 kr), low annual duty, toll discounts and free parking as incentives to grow the EV share. It’s been very successful; over 80% of new car sales are EVs in 2024. As the EV share grows, incentives are tightened (25% VAT above 500,000 kr from 2023, toll discounts reduced, annual duty phased in).
Why are heavy cars more expensive?: Weight tax starts at 12.71 kr per kg over 500 kg kerb weight (2026). A 2000-kg car gives 1500 × 12.71 = 19,065 kr in weight tax. Historical justification: heavier cars wear roads more, emit more (in ICE times) and use more material to make. Weight tax also hits EVs, whose battery packs add weight. EVs pay no CO2 tax but their weight partly compensates for that.
What about used imports?: For used imports you pay engangsavgift as if new, minus a use deduction based on the car’s age. Reduction is about 40% after 5 years, 60% after 10, up to 85% for very old cars. You also pay 25% VAT on the purchase price (except EVs below 500,000 kr), ≈4.5% customs for cars outside EEA, plus shipping. Registration at Statens vegvesen requires technical approval and a Norwegian roadworthiness test. Worth doing the maths; some cars are worthwhile to import, others not.
Where do I find the CO2 figure for my car?: Newer cars show the WLTP value (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) in the registration certificate, brochure and on the maker’s website. Norwegian tax uses WLTP from 2019 onwards; older cars used NEDC (about 10–20% lower). For an exact check, look up the registration number on Statens vegvesen’s Autosys or vegvesen.no. On used import you need documentation from the origin country with type approval confirming WLTP.

Technical background

2026 weight tax: 0 kr for the first 500 kg, then 12.71 kr/kg. 2026 CO2 tax (only petrol/diesel/hybrid, not EV): 800 kr/g for 0–100 g/km, 1600 for 100–150, 3200 for 150–225, 5000 above 225. NOx component discontinued from 2026. Total = weight + CO2. On import: multiplied by an age-based deduction (from Skatteetaten’s table). VAT (25%), customs (≈4.5% outside EEA) and shipping come on top, not part of engangsavgift. Calculator gives pure engangsavgift for newly registered car from weight and CO2. Nothing sent; all local. Sources: state budget "Avgiftssatser 2026" and Skatteetaten’s engangsavgift page.