Owners of electric vehicles in the Republic of Moldova will start paying a road tax on January 1, 2026, under new rules approved by the authorities. The tax will depend on the vehicle’s total weight rather than fuel consumption, reflecting the level of wear vehicles place on road infrastructure.
Under the new scale, the tax will range from 0.60 to 1.80 lei per kilogram of vehicle weight. Vehicles weighing up to 1,500 kg will be taxed at 0.60 lei per kilogram. Cars weighing between 1,501 and 2,500 kg will pay 0.90 lei per kilogram. Vehicles in the 2,501 to 3,500 kg category will be charged 1.20 lei per kilogram. Those weighing between 3,501 and 4,500 kg will pay 1.50 lei per kilogram, while vehicles exceeding 4,500 kg will face a rate of 1.80 lei per kilogram.
Through this measure, the authorities aim to create a fair contribution system for road maintenance. Although electric vehicles do not use fuel and do not pay excise duties, they still cause wear to road infrastructure, especially heavier models such as electric SUVs equipped with large batteries.
Until now, electric vehicle owners did not pay any road tax, a situation that created a fiscal imbalance compared with drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles, who contribute indirectly through fuel excise duties.