Electric Cars in Austria in 2026: Grants, ePrämie and Charging

If you drive an electric car in Austria or are considering switching, it is useful to know which public programmes, financial opportunities and charging tools are available. This guide summarises the key points for 2026.

What is the eMove Austria programme?

eMove Austria is an umbrella programme designed to support the expansion of electric transport and help Austria become climate-neutral by 2040.

The programme is based on several pillars:

• eCharge: expanding public charging infrastructure
• eBus: switching buses to emission-free drive systems
• eTruck: switching trucks to emission-free drive systems
• eRide: switching to privately and commercially used electric vehicles

The individual pillars include related support models, reforms and research projects. Details of specific vehicle support schemes are available from the KPC (Kommunalkredit Public Consulting) e-mobility support service. Always check the amounts there, as the details may change.

How much can you receive through ePrämie?

ePrämie is a payment linked to saved CO2 emissions. If you are the registered keeper (Halter) of an electric car, you can transfer the amount of electricity used by your vehicle to an authorised company once a year under a contract. You receive financial compensation in return.

These companies collect electricity data from private individuals and submit it for recognition. The service is often advertised as ePrämie, E-Quote or THG-Quote.

The companies calculate the payment themselves. There is no central assistance with choosing a provider.

Which electricity use counts?

• Non-public charging point, such as at home, with precise measurement: the electricity actually measured in a clear and verifiable way.
• Non-public charging point without measurement: a flat rate of 1,500 kWh per year.

The 1,500 kWh flat rate is the same for every multi-track electric vehicle, regardless of vehicle category. There is no separate rule or different flat rate for two-track vehicles.

Who can get a green E-number plate?

Purely electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles can receive a special number plate (Nummerntafel) with green letters on a white background. It has been available since 1 April 2017.

• It is not mandatory: you can choose an E-number plate or a conventional one.
• A green-letter plate is issued by default, but it can be exchanged while the vehicle has valid registration.
• It can also be requested for electric cars registered before 2017, although changing the plate is not compulsory.
• As a changeable plate (Wechselkennzeichen), an E-number plate is possible only if both cars are electric.

Municipalities (Gemeinde) decide on local benefits such as parking concessions. These benefits require an E-number plate. Vehicles with green number plates may also be exempt from speed limits imposed under the Clean Air Act (IG-L).

Where can you charge, and what does it cost?

Two free online tools are available:

• ladestellen.at: the charging-point directory (Ladestellenverzeichnis) for all publicly accessible charging points in Austria. It shows the location, charging capacity and connector type. Operators are required to report their charging points there.
• ladetarif.at: a tariff calculator that compares charging contracts (Ladekarten). Based on your stated usage habits, it calculates the expected annual cost and provides a neutral overview of providers.

Installing a charger at home or in an apartment building

When installing a charging station, the relevant provincial building law (Baurecht) applies. A distinction must be made between private and commercial charging points. If the purpose is to make a profit or obtain another benefit, such as customer retention, the installation is generally considered an industrial facility subject to the Industrial Code (Gewerbeordnung).

Such charging points generally do not require a permit, unless special local circumstances apply, such as blocking an emergency exit or being located in an area at risk of explosion, or the installation is unusual and technically unsafe.

Installing a home charger in an apartment building was difficult for a long time. The 2022 amendment to the Condominium Act (WEG-Novelle 2022) made it easier to install charging stations retrospectively in multi-unit buildings.

Other points to know

Electric cars are much quieter at low speeds. For this reason, since 1 July 2019, newly type-approved electric and hybrid cars have been required to have an acoustic warning system. Since 1 July 2021, this has also applied to all commercial vehicles. Regardless, every driver should take extra care, especially around pedestrians.

An electric car also requires compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance. The same applies to other vehicles covered by the compulsory insurance rules.

Frequently asked questions

Is a green E-number plate mandatory for an electric car?

No. An E-number plate is optional, but you need one if you want to use local benefits that require it.

How much does ePrämie pay?

The amount is determined by the companies that take over the electricity data, based on their own calculations.

What does the 1,500 kWh flat rate mean?

If you charge at home or at another non-public charging point and do not have precise measurement, 1,500 kWh of electricity per year can be taken into account for ePrämie.

Where can I find the nearest public charger?

Use ladestellen.at, which lists all public charging points in Austria.

Practical steps

1. Check current vehicle support amounts on the KPC (Kommunalkredit Public Consulting) e-mobility support service.
2. Decide whether you want a green E-number plate, especially if you may use municipal benefits such as parking concessions.
3. Use ladestellen.at to locate public charging points and compare their capacity and connector types.
4. Use ladetarif.at to compare charging contracts and estimate your annual charging costs.
5. If you charge at home, establish whether your electricity use can be measured precisely or whether the 1,500 kWh annual flat rate will apply for ePrämie.
6. Before installing a charger, check the applicable provincial building law and any apartment-building requirements.

This information is based on sources available online and is not legal, financial or technical advice. Use it at your own risk and consult an appropriate qualified professional if you need specific advice.