Staff Reports
The liberal agenda may want you to think that electric vehicles are the beacon of hope for the environment, but the truth is, those climate-conscious drivers who have hopped on the electric vehicle bandwagon are now feeling the financial sting. As more and more states pile on pricey registration fees for electric vehicles, it’s clear that the leftist agenda is hurting the very people it claims to be helping.
No free rides: States squeeze money out of EV owners to replace lost gas-tax revenuehttps://t.co/dK3PcdX3gm pic.twitter.com/P0GDW4kf9R
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 30, 2023
With these electric vehicles guzzling up state resources without contributing to the gas tax, it’s no wonder that Republican-led states are implementing these necessary fees. After all, someone has to foot the bill for road and bridge maintenance, and it shouldn’t just be hardworking Americans who choose traditional vehicles.
The National Association of State Budget Officers reported that state fuel taxes made up 38.4% of transportation budgets last year, a significant decrease from 2018. With the trend of fuel efficiency improvements and more drivers opting for eco-friendly electric vehicles, states are projected to lose a whopping $87 billion by 2050. That’s a serious hit to the already strained transportation budgets!
It’s no surprise that at least 32 states are demanding an extra annual fee for electric vehicles, with 19 of those states also slapping plug-in hybrids with additional costs. The price tags for these fees range from $50 to $225 in various states. It’s no wonder states like Florida are eyeing these fees for their own, because let’s face it, Democrats and Republicans alike know that the bills have to be paid, and electric vehicle owners should do their part.
The Biden administration is even considering a rule that would force automakers to dramatically increase electric vehicle sales, threatening to push them to two-thirds of their new vehicle market share by 2032. Environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers are crying foul, calling the fees punitive and a conservative attempt to slow down the green energy movement. But the reality is, these fees are a necessary step in ensuring that everyone pays their fair share for road infrastructure.
Inflation, an outdated federal tax, improved fuel efficiency, and decreased fuel use due to pandemic-related changes have all contributed to shrinking gas tax revenue. But electric vehicle owners seem to be skating by without contributing their fair share. It’s not about punishing people for choosing clean vehicles, it’s about making sure everyone contributes their fair share to keep our roads and bridges safe and functional.
With proposed solutions like indexing fees to inflation based on vehicle efficiency and miles driven, it’s clear that this issue is multifaceted. But one thing is for certain: the days of electric vehicle owners getting a free ride are over. It’s time for them to step up and contribute to the infrastructure that benefits us all.
