Electric driving in Wallonia: here's how to escape higher vehicle registration tax soon

What is the vehicle registration tax?

The vehicle registration tax is a one-off tax that every owner of a new or second-hand vehicle must pay as soon as that vehicle enters the public roads. The sum of the vehicle registration tax depends on the region where the vehicle is registered: the Flemish, Walloon or Brussels Capital Region.

Current calculation of vehicle registration tax

In Wallonia, the vehicle registration tax for vehicles with a combustion engine is now calculated on the basis of engine power or fiscal horsepower. For vehicles that emit more than 146 g CO₂/km, that amount is increased by a so-called “écomalus” or “penalty bonus”. For hybrid vehicles, only the power of the combustion engine matters (instead of the combined power). In each case, the older the car, the lower the vehicle tax.

Today, owners of electric cars always pay a minimum amount of € 61.50, regardless of the vehicle's power.

What will change on 1 July 2025?

The Walloon Government is introducing a single uniform calculation for thermal, hybrid and electric vehicles this summer. In doing so, it wants to encourage citizens not only to opt for more environmentally friendly, but also lighter and less powerful vehicles. After all, heavy vehicles cause more damage to roads and are more often involved in accidents. That is why the vehicle registration tax will soon be calculated on the basis of these 4 parameters:

• 1.
  1.
  Engine power in kW
• 2.
  2.
  CO₂ emissions
• 3.
  3.
  Vehicle weight
• 4.
  4.
  Fuel coefficient For petrol and diesel vehicles: 1 For hybrid vehicles: 0.8 For electric vehicles: between 0.09 and 0.26

As soon as the new calculation comes into force, the vehicle registration tax will be at least €50 and a maximum of €9,000.

Consequences for EVs in Wallonia

Although the fuel coefficient is intended as a correction factor in favour of greener vehicles, many hybrid and electric vehicles will be affected by this reform. Because of the weight of the battery, they are often a lot heavier than vehicles with an internal combustion engine, and this also weighs on the new calculation.

For example, for an Audi Q4 e-tron in Wallonia, you will soon pay a vehicle registration tax of €1,291.30. If you register the same vehicle before 1 July 2025, you will still pay the minimum amount of €61.50.

Tip: this is how to save on V.A.T.

Are you or is your company based in Wallonia? And are you considering buying a new or second-hand EV this summer? Then (operational) leasing might be smarter than buying. Because most leasing companies, such as ALD Automotive | LeasePlan, are located in the Flemish Region, they follow the Flemish BIV rules. And there (for now) an exemption from BIV applies to electric vehicles - even after 1 July 2025.

Why lease

(Operational) leasing remains an attractive choice for other reasons too:

• •

  No unexpected costs. You pay one fixed amount every month. This already includes costs for maintenance, insurance, repairs and taxes.

• •

  No big investment upfront. You do not have to spend a large capital in one go, leaving financial room for other things.

• •

  No worries about reselling your vehicle. The risk of the residual value lies entirely with the leasing company. Don't want to take over your vehicle at the end of the contract? Then you can simply return it.

Are you interested in leasing an electric vehicle? Check out our extensive range here.