Dutch road tax: petrol vs diesel vs LPG

6 October 2026 · Calcosmo editorial team

Your car’s fuel type makes a big difference to Dutch road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting). A diesel easily costs twice as much as a petrol car of the same weight. Below you’ll see the differences; calculate your own amount with the Dutch road tax calculator.

Comparison for a 1,400 kg car

Amounts per quarter in 2026 for a car with a kerb weight (massa rijklaar) of 1,400 kg:

Per year, the difference between petrol and diesel in Noord-Holland is more than €870.

Why does a diesel pay more?

On top of the base rate, diesel cars pay a fuel surcharge. It compensates for the lower excise duty on diesel at the pump. Diesels with higher particulate emissions (more than 0.005 g/km, usually older diesels without a factory-fitted particulate filter) also pay a particulate surcharge of 19%.

Cars running on LPG or other fuels pay a surcharge too. If your car has a G3 LPG system or runs on natural gas, a lower surcharge applies.

Weight matters a lot

The rate rises with every 100 kg of massa rijklaar. A 1,200 kg petrol car costs €145 per quarter in Noord-Holland, 1,400 kg €199 and 1,800 kg already €307. When buying a car, the weight is worth checking. Note that the tax uses rounded weight classes, so a few kilos can push a car into the next class.

When is diesel still worth it?

If you drive a lot, the lower price per litre and better fuel economy of a diesel can offset the higher road tax. As a rule of thumb, the break-even point is often around 25,000 to 35,000 km a year, depending on the car and fuel prices. Check it with the fuel cost calculator.

Tips to save

• When buying, choose a lighter car, or a petrol car if you don’t drive much.
• Provinces only matter if you are moving anyway; the gap between the cheapest and most expensive province is about €20 per quarter for a petrol car.
• Cars aged 40 years or older are exempt from road tax (classic car exemption).
• Driving electric? Read what an EV costs in 2026.