NEW BILL PROPOSES EV TAX FOR HIGHWAY FUNDING

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Out of Spec Podcast discusses a proposed bill aiming to fund the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) by taxing electric vehicle (EV) owners. The bill, reintroduced by Senator Deb Fischer, argues that EVs, due to their heavier batteries, cause more road damage and should contribute to infrastructure maintenance, similar to how gas-powered vehicles pay through the gas tax. The podcast hosts acknowledge the fairness of EVs contributing to the HTF but strongly critique the proposed taxation method. They argue that the bill's justification based on EV weight is flawed, citing that heavy-duty trucks and semi-trucks cause disproportionately more road damage and already contribute significantly through fuel taxes. The proposed fees, a $1,000 one-time charge and a $550 fee per battery module over 1,000 lbs, are deemed unfair, especially when compared to the much lower lifetime gas tax contributions of comparable internal combustion engine vehicles and the fact that the higher EV fee would be equivalent to taxes paid by 75,000 lb trucks. The hosts suggest that while EVs should contribute, the proposed method is unequal and disproportionate.