SOME drivers could soon be hit with a steep new bill just for owning a specific kind of car.
Vehicle owners are slamming a proposed $200-a-year fee plan that targets their choice of wheels.
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The move is part of a broader push by Republican lawmakers in Washington, DC.
Under a new proposal, electric and hybrid drivers would face new registration fees.
The new fines stem from lawmakers insisting electric and hybrid drivers aren’t paying their fair share to maintain roads.
The plan was approved by the GOP-led Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last week.
It includes a $200 yearly charge for electric cars and a $100 annual fee for hybrids.
All collected fees would go into the federal Highway Trust Fund, which helps repair roads and bridges across the US.
Drivers say it’s an unfair hit on drivers who made the switch to greener cars.
Bob Martinez, an EV driver, called the plan “shortsighted,” according to ABC local affiliate KXTV.
“The whole idea is to incentivize people to do things that hopefully save the environment and are cost-effective from a planetary perspective in the long run,” he told the outlet.
Martinez said he went electric to save on fuel and help the environment.
But under the new proposal, driving clean could come at a cost.
Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley, who represents Rocklin, California, and drives an EV himself, backed the move.
“This is just a way to provide some parity so that everyone is funding the Highway Trust Fund in equal measure,” said Kiley.
Republicans argue that EV drivers don’t pay gas taxes, which has drained the Highway Trust Fund over time.
Electric vehicles vs gas
Pros and cons of EVs vs gasoline-powered vehicles
EV PROS:
- Convenient (when charging at home)
- Cheaper (depending on state or city)
- Cheaper maintenance, due to lack of mechanical parts
- Great for commuting
- Reduced CO2 emissions
- Federal and state tax incentives
- More performance (speed, handling – depending on the make and model)
EV CONS:
- Higher initial cost
- Higher insurance rates
- More frequent tire and brake replacement intervals
- Higher curb weight (thus causing more rapid wear on crucial parts)
- Low resale value
- High depreciation rates
- Lack of charging infrastructure
- Unreliable public charging (related: slow charging times)
- Poor winter and summer performance
- Lack of clean energy alternatives means more “dirty energy” from coal and nuclear sources
- Range anxiety
GAS PROS:
- Highly developed refueling infrastructure
- Fast refueling
- Cheaper insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration
- Established repair industry
- Lower initial cost
- Higher range before refueling, especially with hybrids
- Many manufacturers produce nearly emission-less engines
- Cheaper refueling, depending on the location
GAS CONS:
- Finite resource (related: heavy dependence on petroleum)
- Carbon emissions/greenhouse gases
- Higher repair costs
- Higher insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration
- Varying costs at the pump, depending on state, city, and county
Source: Car & Driver, Perch Energy, AutoWeek
Democrats hit back, saying the fee punishes drivers for making environmentally conscious choices.
Rep. Julia Brownley of California says most gas-powered car owners pay only about $90 a year into the fund through fuel taxes.
“The average combustion engine vehicle pays $90 annually into the Highway Trust Fund in gas taxes,” Brownley said.
Martinez says the plan sends the wrong message.
“In the long run, we saw it as something that made a lot of sense. In terms of fuel consumption, it’s fantastic,” said Martinez.
Supporters insist it’s about fairness, not punishment.
Still, with prices for housing, food, and energy soaring, critics say now’s the worst time to slap extra costs on drivers.
Kiley acknowledged the financial strain but stood by the plan.
He said the real solution is lowering the overall cost of living, not giving EVs a free ride.
The proposal hasn’t become law yet, but if passed, it could change how drivers weigh the cost of going electric.