What electric cars pay in motor vehicle tax in Appenzell Ausserrhoden, how the tax is calculated and what is changing.
Appenzell Ausserrhoden taxes all passenger cars the same way, on gross vehicle weight, regardless of drive type. Electric cars get neither an exemption nor a discount. Because of battery weight they often pay slightly more than a comparable combustion car.
Gross vehicle weight from the registration document (field 33): CHF 142 up to 500 kg, CHF 2.85 per additional 10 kg or part thereof for the next 1,000 kg, then CHF 3.35 per additional 10 kg or part thereof (ordinance to the cantonal road traffic introductory act, bGS 761.111, Art. 3). Tax is charged for the period of registration (number of days).
The ordinance to the cantonal road traffic introductory act (bGS 761.111, as of 12 June 2017) contains only the weight tariff in Art. 3(1) for passenger cars; the reductions in Art. 3(2) apply only to motor carts, trailers, agricultural vehicles and work vehicles. Electric cars get no exemption, discount or special tariff. The Road Traffic Office lists only registration period and gross vehicle weight as the basis of calculation.
Same as all passenger cars: taxed on gross vehicle weight, no reduction.
The Auto-Check works out how much you save overall with an electric car, using your own assumptions.
As of: October 2026. All information without guarantee. The tax bill and the cantonal road traffic office are authoritative.
