More EVs mean less fuel tax

Thursday, 21 August 2025 06:30

Bad news for electric car owners in Switzerland.

From 2030, they may face new taxes to help plug a looming deficit in in the fund that build and maintains roads.

Currently financed mainly by fuel taxes, the fund’s reserves are shrinking fast, dropping CHF 200m at CHF 3.6bn last year alone.

The Federal Council is considering two options: a mileage-based tax declared by drivers, or a levy calculated via certified energy meters.

A possible tariff of six francs per 100 kilometres is already being discussed, effectively aligning e-car costs with petrol vehicles.

Some politicians say the decision needs to be made quickly as it will need to go to a popular vote.

It’s thought that as the number of electric car drivers climb, the chances of the change being rejected also climbs.

More from Bitesize News

Snow returns to Zermatt

Zermatt reopens its glacier for free skiing from next Wednesday, after a heatwave forced the cable car operator to shut the slopes in late July
Fuel prices an issue for many frontaliers

Rising fuel prices are affecting frontaliers in the Chablais, where the public transport network isn’t adequate enough for most workers to leave the car at home
Autoroute ramp lights review

The federal roads office is reviewing more than 130 new ramp-metering lights at motorway entries, aiming to smooth peak-hour traffic across Switzerland
Northern Lights in Switzerland

Northern lights lit up Swiss skies in a rare display captured from Saturday into Sunday morning
GA pass cheaper than forecast

Switzerland's Price Supervisor cut this year's public transport fare rise almost in half, newly released documents reveal
Pro Palestine protests spread to Lausanne

Lausanne police used tear gas and batons on Saturday after masked protesters attacked a UBS branch during a pro-Palestine march

Download our app