Some States Will Charge More for EV Ownership in 2020
Electric vehicle ownership might cost you a bit more in 2020. Starting on Jan. 1, certain states will start imposing special fees on gas-free autos to help fund local infrastructure projects.
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Increased fees for EV ownership
Per Fox Business, some of the states that are stepping up their EV registration fees are as follows: Iowa, Utah, Oregon, Ohio, Alabama, Illinois, Kansas, Hawaii, and California. EV owners in Ohio and Alabama, for example, can expect to pay $200. Those in Kansas will have to shell out $100, while those in Hawaii will need to pay $50. Starting in July, California will start imposing a $100 fee on EVs.
“[It’s…] a blanket penalty for anyone who chooses to go electric,” said Neda Deylami, founder of the advocacy group Chicago for EVs. The goal behind these extra charges is to help compensate for lost gas tax revenue associated with EVs, so that states can still have sufficient funds to maintain regional bridges and roads. It will also help finance electric charging infrastructure for these regions, as more residents start purchasing EVs in the days ahead.
Though some states’ proposed fee increases are moderate, others are more severe. According to Electrek, Missouri and Minnesota fall into this second category. If the legislation passes, the annual EV registration fee would increase 300 percent, from $75 to $225.
Photo: Pixaline
Concluding thoughts
For some consumers, the higher registration fees are a small price to pay for the environmental benefit these models yield. For those on the fence about purchasing an EV, however, it’s one strike against buying a green-energy vehicle and one more incentive to go with a gas-powered one.
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