Emissions-based registration
The ACT has now changed to an emissions-based registration system for light vehicles.
Under emissions-based registration, low and zero emissions vehicles have cheaper registration fees compared to higher emissions vehicles in the same weight range.
The ACT Government is making these changes over several years to allow Canberrans to adjust and consider their next vehicle purchase.
Why has registration changed?
Changing to emissions-based registration is part of the ACT's plan to:
- reach net zero emissions by 2045
- make fuel efficient vehicles more affordable for Canberrans.
Read more about why we’ve moved to emissions-based registration.
How much you can save
To understand how you may save money, we compare the cost of registration fees for some common vehicles. This comparison table looks at what the 2024/25 registration fees would have been under the old weight-based registration and the new emissions-based registration.
For example, if you have a vehicle in the emissions category AAA, such as an Electric Hyundai Kona, your registration fee component would have been $661 if we continued with the weight-based registration system. Now it will be $363, seeing a decrease of $298.
Emissions category | Example vehicle | What you would have paid in 2025 using weight-based registration | What you will pay in 2025 using emissions-based registration | Registration fee decrease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AAA | Electric Hyundai Kona | $661 | $363 | $298 |
AA | Hybrid Hyundai Ioniq | $455 | $405 | $50 |
A | Hybrid Toyota Camry | $661 | $611 | $50 |
B | Toyota Yaris | $402 | $402 | $0 |
C | Mazda 3 | $455 | $455 | $0 |
D | Ford Ranger | $661 | $661 | $0 |
Along with EVs, some lower emitting petrol and diesel vehicles may also have reduced registration fees.
We expect 95% of vehicle owners will pay the same or less than what they would have under the weight-based registration.
If your registration has gone up
The registration fee is only one part of the total cost to register a vehicle. Other fees and charges to register your vehicle include:
- Motor Accident Injury insurance
- ACT Registration Road Rescue fee
- Road Safety Contribution
- Motor Accident Levy
- Reg Lifetime Care and Support Levy.
Registration fees and charges are indexed and can vary each year.
To check all fees and charges including the registration fee, use the ACT’s registration calculator.
Other things that may affect your registration fee
Your EV's 2-year free registration period has ended
If your vehicle's 2-years' free registration ended before the start of emissions-based registration, you paid the lowest weight-based fee for up to one year. This fee is no longer available for renewals after 1 July 2024.
You have a heavier vehicle
Heavier private vehicles between 2,505 and 4,500 kgs will pay a different fee to vehicles that weigh less than 2,505 kgs. Heavier business vehicles between 1,505 and 4,500 kgs, will pay a different fee to vehicles that weigh less than 1,505 kgs.
This applies to EV and internal combustion engine vehicles. All EVs and lower emitting vehicles, regardless of weight, will pay a lower fee than higher emitting vehicles in their weight range.
Your vehicle has no Green Vehicle Guide listing
We may use a compliant manufacturer vehicle specification to help calculate your registration fee.
Your vehicle was made before 2004 or has no CO2 rating
You have an ‘unrated vehicle’ which is assigned a Category C fee. This could include modified or imported vehicles.
You have a motorcycle
Emissions data is not available on motorcycles, so they are classified based on engine size. Zero emissions motorcycles are in the lowest fee category for motorcycles.
How emissions-based registration works
To calculate your registration fee, the ACT government uses:
- your vehicle’s combined CO2 (from the Australian Government’s Green Vehicle Guide)
- your vehicle’s weight
- its use (private or business).
Vehicles sit in one of six CO2 categories, which are based on the measured emissions of your vehicle:
- AAA – 0g/km combined CO2
- AA – 1 to 65 g/km combined CO2
- A – 66 to 130 g/km combined CO2
- B – 131 to 175 g/km combined CO2
- C – 176 to 220 g/km combined CO2
- D – 221+ g/km combined CO2
Separate emissions-based registration fees for ACT light vehicles apply to:
- Light private vehicles below a tare weight of 2,505 kg
- Heavier private vehicles with a tare weight from 2,505 kg
- Light business vehicles below a tare weight of 1,505 kg
- Heavier business vehicles with a tare weight from 1,505 kg
Motorcycles fees are based on engine size:
- AAA – zero emissions motorcycles
- up to 300 cc
- from 301 cc to 600 cc
- from 601 cc.
If you cannot find your vehicle in the Green Vehicle Guide
Your vehicle may be:
- an unrated light vehicle if it was made before 2004
- over 3.5 tonnes GVM
- an imported vehicle that is exempt from providing a rating to the Green Vehicle Guide.
When emissions-based registration does not apply
- Specialist categories, such as Veteran and Vintage Vehicles
- Heavy vehicles from 4,500 kg
- Trailers, campervans and caravans
Support to move to zero emissions vehicles
You can access ACT Government incentives to buy a zero emissions vehicle.
Contact for help
To find out more about your registration, contact Access Canberra.