Bipartisan Bill Would Impose New Annual Fee on Electric Vehicles
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Congress is considering a bipartisan bill that would impose an annual fee of $130 on electric vehicles and $35 on plug-in hybrids to help cover road repair costs, potentially affecting EV sales further.
- The fee aims to ensure that electric vehicle owners contribute to road maintenance, which is currently funded by federal gasoline and diesel taxes.
- Representative Sam Graves emphasized the need for EV owners to pay their fair share, while Representative Rick Larsen highlighted efforts to keep the fee fair and not punitive.
- Auto industry and environmental groups argue that the proposed flat fee is higher than average fuel taxes paid by gasoline vehicle owners and lacks mileage-based fairness.
- This proposal follows last year’s elimination of up to $7,500 in federal subsidies for electric vehicle purchases and leases, which had already contributed to a decline in EV sales.