What is the Electric Vehicle (EV) road tax rate in Karnataka?

Karnataka has moved from full exemption to a tiered 5% motor vehicle road tax on electric cars, making it one of the few states in India with a dedicated EV tax rate.

How is the 11% Infrastructure Cess calculated in Karnataka?

The 11% cess is calculated on the Motor Vehicle Tax amount (not on the car price). For instance, if your road tax comes to ₹1,00,000, the 11% cess adds ₹11,000, making the total payable RTO tax ₹1,11,000.

Can vehicles from other states drive in Karnataka without paying KA road tax?

Under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, non-Karnataka vehicles can operate for up to 11 months without paying local road tax. For permanent relocation exceeding 11 months, owners must obtain a NOC and pay pro-rata lifetime tax in Karnataka.

Karnataka (KA) RTO SlabsRates Verified: August 2026

Karnataka Road Tax Calculator (2026)

Calculate exact motor vehicle road tax, RTO registration charges, and total on-road price addition for cars and two-wheelers in Karnataka.

Calculate road tax, RTO registration charges, and total on-road addition for cars and bikes across Indian states — petrol, diesel, CNG, and EV.

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Estimates are based on standard 2026 state RTO slabs and may vary due to state-specific cesses or recent policy changes. Always verify the final amount with your local RTO before making a purchase decision.

Karnataka Motor Vehicle Tax Slabs (2026)

Petrol Cars

13% (< ₹5L), 14% (₹5L–₹10L), 17% (₹10L–₹20L), 18% (> ₹20L)

15-year Lifetime Tax (LTT)

Diesel Cars

13% (< ₹5L), 14% (₹5L–₹10L), 17% (₹10L–₹20L), 18% (> ₹20L)

Calculated on ex-showroom invoice

Electric Vehicles (EV)

5% Motor Vehicle Tax (Karnataka transitioned from 0% to a tiered 5% EV tax for electric cars)

Under state clean mobility policy

Official Transport Portal

Transport Department, Government of Karnataka (transport.karnataka.gov.in)

Official Transport Site

Understanding Motor Vehicle Taxation in Karnataka

Registering a new vehicle in Karnataka — particularly in high-volume transport circles across Bengaluru (KA-01 Koramangala, KA-03 Indiranagar, KA-05 Jayanagar, KA-51 Electronic City) — entails some of the highest motor vehicle tax slabs in India under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act. Cars priced above ₹20 Lakhs attract an 18% base road tax, which is then augmented by an 11% Infrastructure and Urban Transport Cess on the calculated tax amount.

Crucially, Karnataka has transitioned from a full EV exemption to a **5% road tax on electric cars**. Two-wheelers priced over ₹50,000 face a 12% to 18% lifetime tax schedule.

Tax Calculation & Slab Mechanics

Karnataka's road tax structure for private cars: 13% for vehicles under ₹5 Lakhs, 14% for ₹5L to ₹10L, 17% for ₹10L to ₹20L, and 18% for vehicles above ₹20 Lakhs. Crucially, a mandatory 11% cess is added on top of the calculated road tax. For electric vehicles, a 5% road tax rate applies.

RTO Registration Procedure & Vahan System

Vehicle tax payments and hypothecation endorsements are executed digitally through Karnataka Transport's integrated Vahan portal, with automated validation of vehicle insurance and chassis verification.

Key RTO Guidelines for Karnataka Vehicle Owners

Karnataka levies some of the highest motor vehicle road taxes in India, reaching 18% for cars above ₹20 Lakhs and up to 18% for standard two-wheelers.
An additional 11% Infrastructure Cess is levied on the calculated Motor Vehicle Tax amount (10% Infrastructure Cess + 1% Urban Transport Cess).
EV Taxation Shift: Karnataka has moved away from full EV exemption and charges a 5% road tax on electric cars.
Lifetime Tax (LTT) is payable for 15 years at initial vehicle registration across all KA RTOs (KA-01 to KA-55).

Karnataka Vehicle FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Karnataka Road Tax

Clear answers on slabs, diesel surcharges, EV exemptions, and RTO registration.

Karnataka has high statutory tax brackets (up to 18%) plus a mandatory 11% Infrastructure & Urban Transport Cess levied on top of the calculated tax, designed to fund state highway and urban transit infrastructure.

Official Disclaimer & Rate Notice

Rates shown are indicative and sourced from public references, last reviewed on August 2026. Always verify current rates with Karnataka's official Transport Department, Government of Karnataka (transport.karnataka.gov.in) before making a vehicle purchase decision.

State Specific Slabs

Compare Karnataka with Other State Road Tax Slabs

Explore how motor vehicle tax and RTO registration fees differ across other Indian states.

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Maharashtra

Petrol Car: 9% – 11%

EV Status: 100% Tax Exemption for qualifying electric vehicles

Calculate Maharashtra

Karnataka

Current

Petrol Car: 13%

EV Status: 5% Motor Vehicle Tax (Karnataka transitioned from 0% to a tiered 5% EV tax for electric cars)

Calculate Karnataka

Delhi

Petrol Car: 4%

EV Status: 100% Full Exemption for Electric Vehicles up to ₹20 Lakhs

Calculate Delhi

Uttar Pradesh

Petrol Car: Flat 8%

EV Status: 100% Full Tax Exemption for Electric Vehicles

Calculate Uttar Pradesh

Tamil Nadu

Petrol Car: 10%

EV Status: 100% Tax Exemption policy window active for electric vehicles registered through 31 Dec 2027 (standard standing rate is 5% <10L / 7.5% >10L)

Calculate Tamil Nadu

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