South Africa's carbon tax applies to fuel combusted by qualifying activities, so for a road fleet the liability follows litres burned and the emission factor of the fuel. Cleaner engines reduce it proportionally, and fully electric vehicles combust nothing, so they carry no fuel-based liability.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is the carbon tax in South Africa in 2026?
The South African carbon tax headline rate rose to R308 per tonne of CO₂e on 1 January 2026 (up from R236). For road transport fleets the tax is collected through the carbon fuel levy of 23c per litre on diesel and 19c per litre on petrol, which took effect on 1 April 2026.
How is the carbon fuel levy different from the general fuel levy?
The carbon fuel levy (23c/L diesel, 19c/L petrol) funds the carbon tax. It is charged in addition to the general fuel levy (R3.93/L diesel, R4.10/L petrol) and the Road Accident Fund levy (R2.25/L). All three appear on the pump price and were last adjusted on 1 April 2026.
How can a truck fleet reduce its carbon levy?
Because the carbon fuel levy is charged per litre, lower fuel consumption directly reduces it. Upgrading from Euro 3 to Euro 6 engines can cut litres burned by roughly 30%, and switching to electric trucks removes the fuel levies entirely. This calculator estimates the saving for each option.