politics
EV drivers will pay $130 a year under Congress' 2026 transportation bill
Politicians say they want EVs to pay “their fair share for the use of our roads.”
TL;DR
- The "Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act" proposes an annual federal registration fee for EV owners.
- The fee for EVs would start at $130 per year, increasing by $5 annually until it reaches $150 by 2029.
- Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) owners would face a fee starting at $35 annually, increasing by $5 each year to $50.
- The bill aims to ensure EV owners contribute to road funding, as gas tax revenues decrease with increased EV and PHEV usage.
- Critics, like the Zero Emissions Transportation Association and the Natural Resources Defense Council, argue the fees are unfair, disproportionately affect EV drivers, and come at a time when federal incentives for EVs have been abolished.
- Concerns are also raised about reduced federal investment in EV charging infrastructure, potentially impacting rural areas.
- The proposed fees are lower than an earlier proposal by Rep. Sam Graves, which started at $250/year for EVs and $100/year for hybrids.