A recently reintroduced piece of legislation would impose a one-time fee of $1,000 on all-electric vehicles at the manufacturer level, at the point of sale.
According to U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), one of the bill’s sponsors, the fee would cover what drivers of gas and diesel vehicles pay to the Highway Trust Fund via federal fuel taxes during a 10-year span.
“EVs can weigh up to three times as much as gas-powered cars, creating more wear and tear on our roads and bridges. It’s only fair that they pay into the Highway Trust Fund just like other cars do. The Fair SHARE Act will require EVs to pay their fair share for the upkeep of America’s infrastructure,” said Senator Fischer in a recent statement.
The sentiment was shared by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy during his confirmation hearing on January 15, after Sen. Fischer pointed out that EVs do not pay into the Highway Trust Fund.
“They should pay for use of our roads,” said Duffy. “How to do that I think is a little more challenging, but I’d love to work with you and the committee to make that happen.”
The Fair SHARE Act would also impose a one-time fee of $550 on heavy-duty trucks for each battery module with a weight greater than 1,000 pounds. This would again be done at the manufacturer level and would be appropriated to the Highway Trust Fund.
