Austria\u2019s 2026 CO\u2082 Toll: What\u2019s Changing for Freight Carriers<\/h2><\/div>For a transportation company, the toll is not a minor expense but one of the largest variable cost categories. Since 2024, the toll in Austria has been based not only on kilometers and axles but also on the vehicle\u2019s CO\u2082 emissions. In 2026, this trend will intensify significantly. This article explains how the CO\u2082 toll is structured, what the five emissions classes mean, and what companies should be doing now.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"CO2](\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271254%27%20height%3D%271254%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201254%201254%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271254%27%20height%3D%271254%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" "\\"CO2")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>How the Austrian Truck Toll System Works<\/h2><\/div>The distance-based toll applies to motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 3.5 metric tons on highways and expressways and is billed via the GO-Box. The per-kilometer rate consists of several components:<\/p>\n
\n- the infrastructure component<\/strong> (based on the number of axles),<\/li>\n
- surcharges for air pollution and noise<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
- and, starting in 2024, a CO\u2082 component<\/strong> that depends on the vehicle\u2019s emission class.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In addition, higher rates apply on special toll sections such as the A 13 Brenner Highway and the Arlberg, Tauern, Gleinalm, Bosruck, and Karawanken tunnels. In short: Drivers of clean, modern vehicles pay less for the CO\u2082 component than those driving older diesel vehicles.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
The Five CO\u2082 Emission Classes<\/h2><\/div>At the heart of the CO\u2082 toll are five emission classes. The logic is simple: The cleaner the vehicle, the higher the class, and the lower the CO\u2082 emissions.<\/p>\n
\n- Class 5<\/strong> is the highest tier and includes zero-emission vehicles, namely electric and hydrogen trucks.<\/li>\n
- Class 1<\/strong> is the most expensive. It includes all vehicles that do not meet the requirements of the higher classes\u2014including, by default, Euro 6 trucks first registered before July 1, 2019, as well as buses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Important to note: A Euro 6 truck is not automatically placed in a lower-cost class. To be classified in classes 2 through 5, the relevant documentation must be submitted to ASFINAG\u2014otherwise, the vehicle will be classified in the most expensive class, class 1. You can find the CO\u2082 calculator and information on the documentation requirement on ASFINAG\u2019s GO-Maut portal. This step saves you money: If you neglect it, you\u2019ll end up paying the highest rate unnecessarily.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
What’s Changing in 2026<\/h2><\/div>2026 will bring several changes\u2014and most of them will be for the better.<\/p>\n
The CO\u2082 component is rising significantly.<\/strong> According to ASFINAG, a truck with four or more axles in the worst emissions class, Class 1, pays approximately 9.04 cents per kilometer for the CO\u2082 component alone (in 2024, the rate was 3.87 cents; in 2025, it will be 6.46 cents). Even in Class 3, the CO\u2082 surcharge is climbing to about 8.18 cents per kilometer, according to ASFINAG. Over the course of a long-haul truck\u2019s annual mileage, this adds up significantly.<\/p>\nThe classification system is becoming stricter.<\/strong> As of July 1, 2026, an EU regulation will require lower reference values and, consequently, stricter thresholds for Classes 2, 3, and 4. The result: A vehicle that was still in Class 3 in 2025 may drop to Class 2 or 1 in 2026\u2014and will therefore become more expensive. Vehicles that are already in Class 4 or 5 are not affected by this change. The CO\u2082 reference value is also decreasing annually, by 3 percent each year between 2026 and 2030 (until 2025, the rate was 2.5 percent).<\/p>\nThe number of affected vehicles is growing.<\/strong> So far, the CO\u2082 classification has primarily applied to heavy-duty vehicle categories. In the course of 2026, additional vehicle categories will be added, including lighter trucks\u2014such as those with a 4×2 configuration\u2014in the 7.5- to 16-metric-ton range. Smaller businesses, therefore, should not dismiss this issue as a problem limited to long-haul transport.<\/p>\nThere is also some relief:<\/strong> The automatic inflation adjustment for the infrastructure component has been suspended on a one-time basis for 2026, which means this portion of the toll will remain stable. However, this does not affect the steering effect of the CO\u2082 rates.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Zero-emission driving pays off when it comes to tolls<\/h2><\/div>The flip side of the coin: Zero-emission trucks weighing over 3.5 metric tons receive a 75 percent discount on the infrastructure component, and this discount has been extended through 2030. Combined with classification in the lowest emission class (Class 5), this creates a growing cost advantage over diesel. Whether switching to electric trucks is worthwhile for your business depends on many factors\u2014you can find an honest assessment of this in \u201cElectric Trucks in the Fleet: Is the Switch Already Worth It in 2026?<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>What Businesses Should Do Now<\/h2><\/div>\n- Verify the classification and provide documentation.<\/strong> Ensure that your Euro 6 vehicles are correctly classified in the best possible CO\u2082 class and that the documentation has been filed with ASFINAG. Without documentation, Class 1 applies.<\/li>\n
- Monitor reclassifications starting in mid-2026.<\/strong> Check whether vehicles have been downgraded due to the stricter thresholds, and factor the additional costs into your freight rates.<\/li>\n
- Plan routes carefully.<\/strong> Special toll sections and the Brenner surcharge can significantly increase the cost of individual trips.<\/li>\n
- Think long-term when developing a fleet strategy.<\/strong> When making replacement investments, it\u2019s worth considering the emissions class\u2014it applies to the vehicle throughout its entire service life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
FZB supports your fleet\u2014no matter what you drive<\/h2><\/div>Whether diesel or zero-emission: Maintenance and replacement parts are still needed. As a full-range supplier with over 350,000 items, FZB has the parts you need for your entire fleet\u2014for both tractors and trailers. Contact your local FZB location<\/a> or place an order in the FZB Webshop<\/a>. And since a vehicle eligible for reduced toll rates must also be in good technical condition, it\u2019s worth looking into the \u00a757a inspection<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
For a transportation company, the toll is not a minor expense but one of the largest variable cost categories. Since 2024, the toll in Austria has been based not only on kilometers and axles but also on the vehicle\u2019s CO\u2082 emissions. In 2026, this trend will intensify significantly. This article explains how the CO\u2082 toll is structured, what the five emissions classes mean, and what companies should be doing now.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"CO2](\"https:\/\/fahrzeugbedarf.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/co2-emission.avif\" "\\"CO2")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>How the Austrian Truck Toll System Works<\/h2><\/div>The distance-based toll applies to motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 3.5 metric tons on highways and expressways and is billed via the GO-Box. The per-kilometer rate consists of several components:<\/p>\n
\n- the infrastructure component<\/strong> (based on the number of axles),<\/li>\n
- surcharges for air pollution and noise<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
- and, starting in 2024, a CO\u2082 component<\/strong> that depends on the vehicle\u2019s emission class.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In addition, higher rates apply on special toll sections such as the A 13 Brenner Highway and the Arlberg, Tauern, Gleinalm, Bosruck, and Karawanken tunnels. In short: Drivers of clean, modern vehicles pay less for the CO\u2082 component than those driving older diesel vehicles.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
The Five CO\u2082 Emission Classes<\/h2><\/div>At the heart of the CO\u2082 toll are five emission classes. The logic is simple: The cleaner the vehicle, the higher the class, and the lower the CO\u2082 emissions.<\/p>\n
\n- Class 5<\/strong> is the highest tier and includes zero-emission vehicles, namely electric and hydrogen trucks.<\/li>\n
- Class 1<\/strong> is the most expensive. It includes all vehicles that do not meet the requirements of the higher classes\u2014including, by default, Euro 6 trucks first registered before July 1, 2019, as well as buses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Important to note: A Euro 6 truck is not automatically placed in a lower-cost class. To be classified in classes 2 through 5, the relevant documentation must be submitted to ASFINAG\u2014otherwise, the vehicle will be classified in the most expensive class, class 1. You can find the CO\u2082 calculator and information on the documentation requirement on ASFINAG\u2019s GO-Maut portal. This step saves you money: If you neglect it, you\u2019ll end up paying the highest rate unnecessarily.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
What’s Changing in 2026<\/h2><\/div>2026 will bring several changes\u2014and most of them will be for the better.<\/p>\n
The CO\u2082 component is rising significantly.<\/strong> According to ASFINAG, a truck with four or more axles in the worst emissions class, Class 1, pays approximately 9.04 cents per kilometer for the CO\u2082 component alone (in 2024, the rate was 3.87 cents; in 2025, it will be 6.46 cents). Even in Class 3, the CO\u2082 surcharge is climbing to about 8.18 cents per kilometer, according to ASFINAG. Over the course of a long-haul truck\u2019s annual mileage, this adds up significantly.<\/p>\nThe classification system is becoming stricter.<\/strong> As of July 1, 2026, an EU regulation will require lower reference values and, consequently, stricter thresholds for Classes 2, 3, and 4. The result: A vehicle that was still in Class 3 in 2025 may drop to Class 2 or 1 in 2026\u2014and will therefore become more expensive. Vehicles that are already in Class 4 or 5 are not affected by this change. The CO\u2082 reference value is also decreasing annually, by 3 percent each year between 2026 and 2030 (until 2025, the rate was 2.5 percent).<\/p>\nThe number of affected vehicles is growing.<\/strong> So far, the CO\u2082 classification has primarily applied to heavy-duty vehicle categories. In the course of 2026, additional vehicle categories will be added, including lighter trucks\u2014such as those with a 4×2 configuration\u2014in the 7.5- to 16-metric-ton range. Smaller businesses, therefore, should not dismiss this issue as a problem limited to long-haul transport.<\/p>\nThere is also some relief:<\/strong> The automatic inflation adjustment for the infrastructure component has been suspended on a one-time basis for 2026, which means this portion of the toll will remain stable. However, this does not affect the steering effect of the CO\u2082 rates.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Zero-emission driving pays off when it comes to tolls<\/h2><\/div>The flip side of the coin: Zero-emission trucks weighing over 3.5 metric tons receive a 75 percent discount on the infrastructure component, and this discount has been extended through 2030. Combined with classification in the lowest emission class (Class 5), this creates a growing cost advantage over diesel. Whether switching to electric trucks is worthwhile for your business depends on many factors\u2014you can find an honest assessment of this in \u201cElectric Trucks in the Fleet: Is the Switch Already Worth It in 2026?<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>What Businesses Should Do Now<\/h2><\/div>\n- Verify the classification and provide documentation.<\/strong> Ensure that your Euro 6 vehicles are correctly classified in the best possible CO\u2082 class and that the documentation has been filed with ASFINAG. Without documentation, Class 1 applies.<\/li>\n
- Monitor reclassifications starting in mid-2026.<\/strong> Check whether vehicles have been downgraded due to the stricter thresholds, and factor the additional costs into your freight rates.<\/li>\n
- Plan routes carefully.<\/strong> Special toll sections and the Brenner surcharge can significantly increase the cost of individual trips.<\/li>\n
- Think long-term when developing a fleet strategy.<\/strong> When making replacement investments, it\u2019s worth considering the emissions class\u2014it applies to the vehicle throughout its entire service life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
FZB supports your fleet\u2014no matter what you drive<\/h2><\/div>Whether diesel or zero-emission: Maintenance and replacement parts are still needed. As a full-range supplier with over 350,000 items, FZB has the parts you need for your entire fleet\u2014for both tractors and trailers. Contact your local FZB location<\/a> or place an order in the FZB Webshop<\/a>. And since a vehicle eligible for reduced toll rates must also be in good technical condition, it\u2019s worth looking into the \u00a757a inspection<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
The distance-based toll applies to motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 3.5 metric tons on highways and expressways and is billed via the GO-Box. The per-kilometer rate consists of several components:<\/p>\n
- \n
- the infrastructure component<\/strong> (based on the number of axles),<\/li>\n
- surcharges for air pollution and noise<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
- and, starting in 2024, a CO\u2082 component<\/strong> that depends on the vehicle\u2019s emission class.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In addition, higher rates apply on special toll sections such as the A 13 Brenner Highway and the Arlberg, Tauern, Gleinalm, Bosruck, and Karawanken tunnels. In short: Drivers of clean, modern vehicles pay less for the CO\u2082 component than those driving older diesel vehicles.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
The Five CO\u2082 Emission Classes<\/h2><\/div>
At the heart of the CO\u2082 toll are five emission classes. The logic is simple: The cleaner the vehicle, the higher the class, and the lower the CO\u2082 emissions.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Class 5<\/strong> is the highest tier and includes zero-emission vehicles, namely electric and hydrogen trucks.<\/li>\n
- Class 1<\/strong> is the most expensive. It includes all vehicles that do not meet the requirements of the higher classes\u2014including, by default, Euro 6 trucks first registered before July 1, 2019, as well as buses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Important to note: A Euro 6 truck is not automatically placed in a lower-cost class. To be classified in classes 2 through 5, the relevant documentation must be submitted to ASFINAG\u2014otherwise, the vehicle will be classified in the most expensive class, class 1. You can find the CO\u2082 calculator and information on the documentation requirement on ASFINAG\u2019s GO-Maut portal. This step saves you money: If you neglect it, you\u2019ll end up paying the highest rate unnecessarily.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
What’s Changing in 2026<\/h2><\/div>
2026 will bring several changes\u2014and most of them will be for the better.<\/p>\n
The CO\u2082 component is rising significantly.<\/strong> According to ASFINAG, a truck with four or more axles in the worst emissions class, Class 1, pays approximately 9.04 cents per kilometer for the CO\u2082 component alone (in 2024, the rate was 3.87 cents; in 2025, it will be 6.46 cents). Even in Class 3, the CO\u2082 surcharge is climbing to about 8.18 cents per kilometer, according to ASFINAG. Over the course of a long-haul truck\u2019s annual mileage, this adds up significantly.<\/p>\n
The classification system is becoming stricter.<\/strong> As of July 1, 2026, an EU regulation will require lower reference values and, consequently, stricter thresholds for Classes 2, 3, and 4. The result: A vehicle that was still in Class 3 in 2025 may drop to Class 2 or 1 in 2026\u2014and will therefore become more expensive. Vehicles that are already in Class 4 or 5 are not affected by this change. The CO\u2082 reference value is also decreasing annually, by 3 percent each year between 2026 and 2030 (until 2025, the rate was 2.5 percent).<\/p>\n
The number of affected vehicles is growing.<\/strong> So far, the CO\u2082 classification has primarily applied to heavy-duty vehicle categories. In the course of 2026, additional vehicle categories will be added, including lighter trucks\u2014such as those with a 4×2 configuration\u2014in the 7.5- to 16-metric-ton range. Smaller businesses, therefore, should not dismiss this issue as a problem limited to long-haul transport.<\/p>\n
There is also some relief:<\/strong> The automatic inflation adjustment for the infrastructure component has been suspended on a one-time basis for 2026, which means this portion of the toll will remain stable. However, this does not affect the steering effect of the CO\u2082 rates.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Zero-emission driving pays off when it comes to tolls<\/h2><\/div>
The flip side of the coin: Zero-emission trucks weighing over 3.5 metric tons receive a 75 percent discount on the infrastructure component, and this discount has been extended through 2030. Combined with classification in the lowest emission class (Class 5), this creates a growing cost advantage over diesel. Whether switching to electric trucks is worthwhile for your business depends on many factors\u2014you can find an honest assessment of this in \u201cElectric Trucks in the Fleet: Is the Switch Already Worth It in 2026?<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
What Businesses Should Do Now<\/h2><\/div>
- \n
- Verify the classification and provide documentation.<\/strong> Ensure that your Euro 6 vehicles are correctly classified in the best possible CO\u2082 class and that the documentation has been filed with ASFINAG. Without documentation, Class 1 applies.<\/li>\n
- Monitor reclassifications starting in mid-2026.<\/strong> Check whether vehicles have been downgraded due to the stricter thresholds, and factor the additional costs into your freight rates.<\/li>\n
- Plan routes carefully.<\/strong> Special toll sections and the Brenner surcharge can significantly increase the cost of individual trips.<\/li>\n
- Think long-term when developing a fleet strategy.<\/strong> When making replacement investments, it\u2019s worth considering the emissions class\u2014it applies to the vehicle throughout its entire service life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
FZB supports your fleet\u2014no matter what you drive<\/h2><\/div>
Whether diesel or zero-emission: Maintenance and replacement parts are still needed. As a full-range supplier with over 350,000 items, FZB has the parts you need for your entire fleet\u2014for both tractors and trailers. Contact your local FZB location<\/a> or place an order in the FZB Webshop<\/a>. And since a vehicle eligible for reduced toll rates must also be in good technical condition, it\u2019s worth looking into the \u00a757a inspection<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
- Monitor reclassifications starting in mid-2026.<\/strong> Check whether vehicles have been downgraded due to the stricter thresholds, and factor the additional costs into your freight rates.<\/li>\n
- Class 1<\/strong> is the most expensive. It includes all vehicles that do not meet the requirements of the higher classes\u2014including, by default, Euro 6 trucks first registered before July 1, 2019, as well as buses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- surcharges for air pollution and noise<\/strong>,<\/li>\n