A group of Senate Republicans introduced a bill on Wednesday that would impose a $1,000 tax on new electric vehicle purchases, aiming to offset the cost of federal road repairs traditionally funded by gasoline taxes.
Led by Senator Deb Fischer, the measure seeks to ensure EV owners contribute to the Highway Trust Fund, which relies on fuel taxes to maintain roads and bridges. Fischer argued that EVs, which can weigh significantly more than gasoline-powered vehicles, cause greater wear on infrastructure. “It’s only fair that they pay into the Highway Trust Fund just like other cars do,” she said, noting that gasoline-vehicle drivers typically contribute $87 to $100 per year through federal fuel taxes.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also voiced support for finding a way to make EVs contribute to road maintenance. “They should pay for use of our roads. How to do that, I think, is a little more challenging,” he said last month.
Some states have already introduced EV fees to help cover road repair costs, but at the federal level, fuel tax increases have been avoided for over three decades. Since 2008, more than $275 billion has been transferred from the general fund to sustain the Highway Trust Fund, including $118 billion from the 2021 infrastructure law.
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The proposed tax comes amid broader discussions in Congress about rolling back incentives for EV adoption. Lawmakers are also considering eliminating the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, while the Trump administration has halted funding for federally backed EV charging infrastructure and is working to repeal emissions regulations that would require automakers to increase EV production.
See also: Reuters
1 Comment
So this is confusing, they stated “noting that gasoline-vehicle drivers typically contribute $87 to $100 per year through federal fuel taxes” but they want to impose $1,000 tax for an EV. Thats grossly disproportionate. It may be heavier but I guarantee ev’s are not tearing up the road any more than a semi truck.