Wisconsin Republicans are moving to increase registration fees for electric vehicles. The transportation funding plan passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature's finance committee on Tuesday would raise fees to $175 a year, up from $100. Registering an electric vehicle in Wisconsin is already more expensive than registering a gas vehicle or hybrid, which cost $85 and $75 a year respectively. Democrats on the finance committee worry that the increase will discourage people from buying electric vehicles. Republicans pointed to the additional $3.3 million the higher fees are projected to bring in over the next two years.
Why not focus on developing a revenue method which better reflects road usage, instead of relying on random fees associated with your fuel type?
This is what bothers me the most about this. I have averaged 5,000 miles a year over the past 5 years with my Leaf, which if I were paying the $0.309/gallon fuel tax for in a 30 mpg car would be $257.50 (25,000 miles / 30 MPG * $.309). Instead, I’ve had to pay $500 ($100/year) in EV taxes when registering.
It just makes sense to report your mileage yearly upon registration, and pay based on your actual mileage/road usage. Whether future vehicles are powered by batteries, hydrogen, or unicorn farts this would handle it. I’m happy to pay my share to “fix the dang roads,” but we can do it in a way that’s smarter than “stick it to those smug Tesla asshats.”
100%.