Mobility Basic Figures

According to the Liechtenstein statistical bureau the number of motor vehicles in Liechtenstein has quadrupled in the last thirty years. In 2008, 25,462 automobiles were registered (degree of motorization: 718 automobiles per 1000 inhabitants). About 35.7% of them are diesel cars.

Pursuant to decision 1753/2000/EC, which has been incorporated into the EEA Agreement, Liechtenstein is required to determine the average CO2 emissions of automobiles newly introduced into circulation. The goal agreed upon between the EU and the automobile manufacturers state that as of 2008/09, the average emission of new vehicles should be 140g CO2/km. The current Liechtenstein data is still far from achieving this goal. The average CO2 emissions of all vehicles newly introduced into circulation in 2008 was 190 g/km. The emissions of petrol vehicles were 191 g/km, slightly higher on average than the 188 g/km emitted by diesel vehicles. 69% of the newly registered automobiles achieve emissions of less than 200 g/km. CO2 emissions rise with increasing engine sizes, engine power and vehicle weight. In the past years most of the technically achieved reductions in CO2 emissions have been cancelled out by the larger and more powerful engines and heavier vehicles that continue to be popular (mostly 4-weel-drives and SUV). For the first time these figures decreased in 2009. The proportion of economically light vehicles rises und also vehicles with alternative fuels (natural gas, hybrid) are better accepted.

The public bus fleet has largely been converted to natural gas. Three natural gas fuelling stations have been built. More than 50% of bus-kilometres are now driven with natural gas buses.

At the moment there are three natural gas refuelling stations in Liechtenstein mainly used for refuelling the public transport bus fleet. According to the European Environmental Atlas there is one flexifuel E85 station, one biogas refuelling station, and two biodiesel refuelling stations (on Swiss territory but very close to Liechtenstein). The webpage www.lemnet.org/LEMnet_Land.asp lists 4 public accessible recharging stations in Lichtenstein. No hydrogen refuelling station is listed.

In 2002 Liechtenstein has introduced together with Switzerland an energy-efficiency-label for vehicles based on a colored scale. Each new vehicle sold in Lichtenstein is marked with the label which has 7 different classes with regard to fuel consumption and related emissions. With respect to fiscal measures the Government is currently (2009) exploring the introduction of an energy efficiency and/or emission based motor vehicle tax on basis of the energy label (the energy label is currently under review and should be modified toward a full so-called “environmental-label”). In 2008 a first draft was realized combining a CO2 emission based vehicle tax with an incentive system for private purchase of vehicles with lower CO2 emissions on basis of bonus-malus taxation.

The Liechtenstein State subsidies private purchases of electric scooters and electric bicycles by up to 50%. There is further a full tax exemption (so called “Motorfahrzeugsteuer”) for solar, hybrid, electric, and natural gas vehicles. As a result there is currently a tax difference of approx. 800 EUR between smaller cars (VW Golf class) and very large vehicles (large SUV, 4-wheel driven cars).

Liechtenstein introduced in 2001 a Heavy Vehicle Fee, analogous to Switzerland. This fee is based on the polluter-pays-principle and is differentiated according to distance driven and the total weight of the vehicle. With the help of highly modern recording technology, the kilometres driven are measured. The fee applies to vehicles with a permissible total weight of 3.5 tons and above, and amounted to 1.6 cents per kilometres per ton of total weight in the first phase (2001 to 2005). In the second phase (since the beginning of 2005), the fee has been increased in multiple steps to 2.66 cents (at least 2.26 cents, at most 3.07 cents). It is graded according to emissions criteria (EURO norms). In this way, carriers are given an incentive to purchase the most modern vehicles and to use them efficiently and at full capacity. It increases productivity in road traffic, contributes to a large-scale shift of heavy goods traffic from road to rail and in this way also eases the burden on roads in Liechtenstein.

The government of Liechtenstein has introduced for all governmental institutions and schools a mobility management system. With financial incentives and extra fees the number of car trips to/from the working place should be minimised. The states pay subsidies to private companies which also introducing this mobility management schemas.

Article 17 and Article 29 of the Liechtenstein Public Procurement Law (Gesetz über das Öffentliche Auftragswesen) defines the obligation to include environmental criteria in the technical specification and the contract award. It is understood that the guideline for the public includes some specific consideration on the purchase of vehicles. In the recent past most of the vehicles purchased running by natural gas, especially in public transport.

Liechtenstein‘s Fifth National Communication under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol

VERNEHMLASSUNGSBERICHT DER REGIERUNG BETREFFEND RABATTMODELL FÜR DIE MOTORFAHRZEUGSTEUER ZUR FÖRDERUNG ENERGIE- UND UMWELTEFFIZIENTER PERSONENWAGEN

OS (Office of Statistic), 2008: Motor Vehicle Statistics, 1 July 2008, Vaduz

Gesetz vom 19. Juni 1998 über das Öffentliche Auftragswesen (ÖAWG)