Measures presented to expand the electric charging infrastructure and reduce red tape Federal Government expands charging points on the major road network and extends “Pickerl” validity periods
On 13 May, during the Cabinet meeting, Transport Minister Peter Hanke, together with State Secretaries Pröll and Schellhorn, launched a series of measures aimed at expanding e-mobility and making improvements to the Motor Vehicles Act and the Federal Roads Act.
A denser e-charging network strengthens the trend towards e-mobility
With the amendment to the Federal Roads Act, the Federal Government is implementing a measure to accelerate the expansion of charging points on the major road network.
“The amendment thus not only makes an important contribution to achieving the mobility transition, but also acts as a catalyst for the switch to e-mobility, particularly for lorries and buses. Especially in times of geopolitical uncertainty, this is an important step towards greater independence from fossil fuels,” emphasises Federal Minister Peter Hanke.
In future, it should be easier to install charging infrastructure along the main road network – for example at petrol stations, service stations, rest areas and car parks – precisely where people need it. Until now, existing conservation areas and the associated restrictions have delayed or, in some cases, even prevented the installation of new charging infrastructure. The amendment will create a higher density of charging stations in line with the ‘eMOVE Austria’ e-mobility programme championed by Federal Minister Hanke and significantly accelerate the roll-out. Charging infrastructure in Austria has developed encouragingly over the past year. The number of ultra-fast charging points (more than 150 kilowatt) has doubled to over 4,000 by 2025. In total, there are currently over 38,000 public charging points in Austria. With today’s decision, motorways and expressways will also become part of the eMOVE Austria mission.
Extension of vehicle inspection sticker validity period goes out for consultation
As part of its planned deregulation and debureaucratisation package, the Federal Government has drawn up a draft amendment to road traffic regulations. The main aim of the proposed amendment is to simplify administrative procedures, modernise existing processes and bring them into line with developments in EU law. Among other things, this draft bill provides for changes in the area of the §57a roadworthiness certificate (Pickerl), which was previously subject to the so-called “3:2:1 rule”.
“We are switching to a 4:2:2:2:1 inspection schedule,” says Transport Minister Hanke, expressing his delight.
Under these changes, the first inspection will in future be required only four years after a vehicle’s initial registration, rather than after three years as has been the case to date. Subsequently, three inspections are to take place at two-year intervals, before an annual inspection schedule is reinstated from the tenth year following initial registration.
The draft proposal provides for the changes to come into force on 1 October 2026, although the exact implementation date will depend on the review process. This will result in a significant reduction in both financial and time burdens. With average costs of around 90 Euros per inspection, this amounts to a saving of approximately 270 Euros over a ten-year period.
“The aim of these changes is to reduce red tape in a way that benefits the public, whilst ensuring road safety,” emphasises Hanke.
State Secretary Schellhorn: “Thankfully, the drive to cut red tape is catching on. With this first package, we are already implementing concrete measures to ease the burden – from longer vignette validity periods and simpler procedures for businesses to digital administrative processes. It is precisely this momentum that we now want to build on together, eliminating further friction in the system step by step.”
Accelerating infrastructure projects through the reduction of red tape
A further measure aimed at reducing bureaucracy and in line with the Industry Strategy 2035 involves practical improvements to planning permission procedures in the field of road construction.
“Experience shows that the duration of complex and protracted planning permission procedures under the Environmental Impact Assessment Act is not fully consistent with the five-year time limit,” explains Minister for Mobility Hanke.
The present amendment to Section 14(5) of the Federal Roads Act ensures that planning area regulations that have been issued do not lapse after the expiry of the five-year time limit without the approval procedure for the same project having been legally concluded. This provides greater legal certainty for high-priority infrastructure projects during an ongoing procedure.
“This amendment means that time and resources already invested are not lost, thereby providing all stakeholders with greater legal and planning certainty,” Hanke concludes.
Special provision for the registration of Ukrainian vehicles is being abolished
In addition, the Federal Government is repealing the special provisions relating to the registration of Ukrainian vehicles. To avoid hardship cases, a transitional period until 30 June 2027 is provided for vehicles with Ukrainian number plates. For vehicles brought into the country after 30 June 2026, the general provisions of Section 79 of the Motor Vehicles Act (KFG) are to apply from 1 January 2027 without any special transitional provisions, meaning that the standard one-year period will apply.
State Secretary Pröll commented: “The large SUV with Ukrainian number plates driving around Austria without paying tax is a thing of the past. Anyone living permanently in Austria and driving a vehicle here should be subject to the same rules! I say quite clearly: it is time for a change.”