How to check a car’s CO2 emissions before buying a used vehicle? Vehicle pollution tax rates

The easiest way to find out a car’s CO2 emissions is to check the vehicle registration certificate. It usually shows the vehicle’s emissions in grams of CO2 per kilometre (g/km). For example, if the document states “130 g/km”, this means that the car emits 130 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometre driven. 

Where can you find information about your car’s CO2 emissions? 

There are several ways to find out your car’s CO2 emissions, depending on the vehicle’s age, available documentation and technical specifications: 

• In the vehicle registration certificate (the “CO2 emissions” field) – this shows the official emissions figure provided by the manufacturer, usually expressed in g/km. This is the simplest and most reliable option, as the figure is based on laboratory tests carried out according to the methodology established by the European Union. 

• In the manufacturer’s technical documentation or official website – by entering the car model, engine size and year of manufacture, you can find information about its CO2 emissions. Some manufacturers even provide results from different tests depending on driving conditions. 

• In specialised vehicle databases – there are online services that allow you to check a vehicle’s CO2 emissions using its registration number or VIN. This can be particularly useful when buying a used car from abroad. 

• For older cars where CO2 emissions are not listed in the documentation, you can estimate them yourself. How? You need to know the vehicle’s fuel consumption and fuel type. For example, burning one litre of petrol produces around 2.31 kg of CO2, while one litre of diesel produces around 2.68 kg. Using these figures together with the vehicle’s average fuel consumption, you can estimate its approximate CO2 emissions. There are also convenient online calculators that can do the calculation automatically. 

What are the rates of the vehicle pollution tax? 

In Lithuania, the CO2 or pollution tax is calculated based on the amount of CO2 emitted by your car. The main threshold is 130 g/km: 

If a car’s CO2 emissions exceed 130 g/km, a tax applies. If the CO2 emissions are 140 g/km, the tax is: 

• Diesel – EUR 41.82; 

• Petrol – EUR 20.91; 

• LPG – EUR 18.82. 

If a car’s CO2 emissions are 200 g/km, the tax is: 

• Diesel – EUR 334.56; 

• Petrol – EUR 167.28; 

• LPG – EUR 150.55. 

If emissions exceed 301 g/km, the tax can be as high as EUR 752.76 for a diesel vehicle, as these vehicles are among the most polluting. 

The higher the emissions, the higher the tax. 

How is the vehicle pollution tax calculated? 

The tax is calculated based on the CO2 emissions (g/km) stated in the vehicle registration certificate. If this information is not provided in the documents, the tax is determined based on the engine size and fuel type. It is important to understand that the more CO2 a car emits, the more you will have to pay. 

What should you know about the vehicle pollution tax? 

Once you know your car’s emissions, it is worth keeping the following points about the pollution tax in mind: 

• If a vehicle is being registered for the first time, the tax must be paid during registration. 

• If ownership of the vehicle changes, the new owner is also required to pay the pollution tax. 

• KASKO or mandatory car insurance does not affect the amount of the tax, but both are important for safety and financial protection. 

• There are exceptions, for example, for electric vehicles. 

Hybrid vehicles are subject to a lower tax 

Since hybrid vehicles generally use less fuel, they produce lower CO2 emissions. As a result, the pollution tax is lower or may not apply at all if emissions remain below the applicable threshold. 

Electric vehicles are exempt from the pollution tax 

Electric vehicles do not produce direct CO2 emissions, so they are not subject to the pollution tax. This is one of the reasons why their popularity continues to grow. 

How can you get a refund of the pollution tax? 

You may be able to get a refund if you deregister the vehicle and take it out of Lithuania, sell it abroad or have it scrapped. In such cases, you need to submit an application and provide evidence confirming the change in the vehicle’s status. 

How can you reduce your car’s CO2 emissions? 

If you are wondering how to reduce your car’s CO2 emissions, there are several things you can do: 

• Drive efficiently – avoid sudden acceleration and braking. 

• Maintain your car regularly – a clean air filter and properly inflated tyres can help reduce emissions. 

• Use higher-quality fuel. 

• If possible, choose a hybrid or electric vehicle. 

• For short journeys, walk or cycle instead to reduce your impact on the environment. 

So, there are several ways to find out your car’s CO2 emissions, which are regulated by the EURO 6 standard, and choose a vehicle with a lower environmental impact.