Bipartisan support emerges for electric car fee that would affect thousands in Montana

Thousands of electric and hybrid vehicles in Montana will cost more to register if a proposal zipping through the state House becomes law.

House Bill 205 by Rep. Alan Redfield, a Paradise Valley Republican, made a pit stop in the Appropriations Committee on Monday. It adds $90 to a hybrid vehicle’s registration fee and $180 for an electric vehicle’s fee.

It’d mean the 400 electric and 6,125 hybrid vehicles in Montana would add $623,000 to the highway maintenance fund next year.

By Troy Carter Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/mtleg/bipartisan-support-emerges-for-electric-car-fee-that-would-affect/article_e2efa572-72ca-57eb-8ff2-3bae4036844d.html

***

10 states are now charging fees to electric vehicle owners, ranging from $43 to $300

Raising fossil fuel taxes by even 1 cent per gallon would certainly raise a lot more money, and actually be a tax on something that we’re trying to discourage. Taxing EVs won’t matter to infrastructure, but for individual would-be EV buyers, an extra fee might make them think twice, especially those who are on the fence.

I’m not saying that such fees will never make sense, but I think at this point it’s premature.

Michael Graham Richard (@Michael_GR)

Full Story: http://www.treehugger.com/economics/10-us-states-are-now-charging-fees-electric-vehicle-owners-ranging-43-300.html