Starting in 2026, hybrid cars in Mexico City will automatically stop receiving some of the tax and inspection benefits they had until now. The new rules have already been established in the Official Gazette of Mexico City within the Mandatory Vehicle Verification Program for the first half of that year.
Until this change, hybrid vehicles could obtain the “Exempt” hologram, which allowed them to circulate without verification for up to eight years. However, beginning in 2026, that scheme will be modified and will depend on the vehicle’s technology and category.
New verification rules for hybrid cars in 2026
According to the 2026 Mexico City Gazette, gasoline vehicles, Category III hybrids, and those that use natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or other alternative fuels must meet specific emissions standards.
These vehicles must comply with one of the standards in NOM-042-SEMARNAT-2003, according to the list published by the Ministry of the Environment and must be model year 2006 or newer. They must also pass the On-Board Diagnostics System (OBD) test, as established in NOM-167-SEMARNAT-2017.
For vehicles from model years 2006 to 2009 that meet Standard A of NOM-042-SEMARNAT-2003, an emissions test will also be mandatory.
Verification schedule and cost in 2026
With these changes, owners of the hybrid vehicles mentioned will have to cover the verification cost, which the Official Gazette establishes as follows:
“The cost for vehicle verification services provided by verification centers, for all types of verification certificates (‘Hologram 0,’ ‘1,’ ‘2,’ Rejection, and Technical Evaluation), as well as the ‘00’ incentive issued to the user, is 5.625 times the current Unit of Measurement and Update (UMA), plus Value Added Tax (VAT).”
Thus, the cost for 2026 is 659.86 pesos plus VAT (approximately 765 pesos).
Who can still request the Exempt hologram
The new scheme keeps the Exempt hologram benefit only for electric vehicles and Category I and II hybrids, as long as they appear on the list published by the Ministry of the Environment.
Owners or legal holders must request this incentive free of charge at authorized Vehicle Emissions Verification Centers in Mexico City, once the vehicle information has been validated by the environmental authority.
To complete the process, the following are required:
- Valid official photo ID (copy).
- Document proving the vehicle’s first sale (copy).
- Circulation card, except for vehicles from the State of Mexico (copy).
- The vehicle must appear on the list of candidates for the Exempt hologram published by the Ministry of the Environment.
Which vehicles are exempt and for how long
The validity of the Exempt hologram depends on the type of technology:
What happens with hybrid and electric vehicle taxes in 2026
In fiscal matters, the Mexico City Ministry of Administration and Finance establishes that owners of new hybrid or electric vehicles, model year 2026, must pay the Vehicle Ownership or Use Tax and the fees for vehicle control services when registering the vehicle.
For hybrid and electric vehicles from model years 2002 to 2026, it will be mandatory to pay the Vehicle Ownership or Use Tax and the annual plate renewal fee no later than March 31, 2026.
However, for the 2026 fiscal year, the ownership tax is calculated by applying a 0% rate to the invoice amount, including VAT, meaning the tax owed will be 0 pesos. This exemption remains in place as a measure to promote the use of cleaner, more environmentally friendly technologies.
Source: UnoTv
