Temporary fuel tax cut - what does it mean for you?
From April 2026, the road usage tax on petrol and diesel is temporarily removed. We explain what it means for your wallet and what you should know as a driver.
What happened?
On 26 March 2026, the Norwegian parliament (Stortinget) voted to temporarily remove the road usage tax on petrol and diesel. The decision was secured by a majority of Høyre, Fremskrittspartiet, Senterpartiet and KrF, against the government's wishes.
The cut applies from 1 April to 1 September 2026.
How much cheaper will fuel be?
Removing the road usage tax reduces pump prices by:
- Petrol: approx. 4.70 NOK cheaper per litre
- Diesel: approx. 2.85 NOK cheaper per litre
Prices include VAT. For a full 50-litre tank, that means savings of around 235 NOK for petrol and 143 NOK for diesel.
How long does the cut last?
The tax cut is temporary and applies from 1 April to 1 September 2026 - five months. After 1 September, taxes return to normal levels unless parliament decides otherwise.
What is the road usage tax?
The road usage tax (veibruksavgift) is a fuel tax designed to cover the costs that road traffic imposes on society - such as road wear, accidents and local pollution. It is part of the pump price you pay every time you fill up.
Even though the tax is temporarily removed, fuel will not be free. The pump price also includes the wholesale price, CO2 tax, VAT and the station's margin.
What does this mean for learner drivers?
If you are currently learning to drive, the lower fuel prices can make practice driving a bit cheaper. Many learner drivers practise in the family car, and lower fuel costs can make it easier to get enough driving practice.
Regardless of fuel prices, it is important to have good knowledge of traffic rules and safety. That is what the theory test is all about.
Tips for saving fuel
Regardless of tax levels, you can save fuel with good driving technique:
- Smooth acceleration - avoid hard acceleration and sudden braking
- Maintain steady speed - use cruise control on the motorway
- Check tyre pressure - low pressure increases consumption
- Remove unnecessary weight - roof boxes and extra weight increase consumption
- Plan your route - avoid detours and traffic jams where possible
- Shift up early - drive in the highest possible gear at low load
Eco-driving is also part of driver training, and good driving technique can save you thousands of kroner in fuel every year.