Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owners
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Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owners
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=21464
Sometimes, you just have to laugh. So now people are going to be swayed from buying an EV because they are going to be charged an annual fee!
Washington is looking to recoup lost revenue from EV drivers
Owners of electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf (100-mile driving range) and the Tesla Roadster (211-mile driving range) have the advantage of traveling on America's roads without having to spend a penny on gasoline. And even though the Chevrolet Volt uses a gasoline engine when its battery pack is exhausted, some drivers have managed to average 1,000 miles between gas stops.
The State of Washington, however, isn't too keen on EV drivers skirting the state's gas tax, which helps to maintain the roads that EV drivers travel on every day. According to the Associated Press, Washington has a $5 billion dollar deficit, and hitting the pockets of EV owners is just one way to help close the gap.
Washington's gas excise tax is one of the highest in the nation at 49.4 cents per gallon [PDF] -- 31 cents of the total is from the state, while the federal tax is 18.4 cents. Assuming that the average driver averages about 12,000 miles per year, a Nissan Leaf driver (EPA rated 99 mpg) would be only be skipping out on $38 of the state's portion of gasoline excise tax. For a Chevrolet Volt driver (EPA rated 93 mpg on battery power), the tax revenue lost by the state would amount to $40.
Washington's proposed EV fee, however, would amount to $100 per year.
"Electric vehicles put just as much wear and tear on our roads as gas vehicles,” explained the bill's sponsor, Democratic state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen. "This simply ensures that they contribute their fair share to the upkeep of our roads."
"So the question is how do you account for those trends and begin to capture revenue that reflects the actual usage of the road?" said Republican state senator Dan Swecker. "Our state doesn't change very fast. But we thought the $100 fee was a place to start, so let's start there."
Not surprisingly, EV owners aren't exactly thrilled with this proposed legislation. "The Legislature saw electric vehicles are coming and thought, why not just put a fee on them," quipped Dean West, a Nissan Leaf driver.
Owners of electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf (100-mile driving range) and the Tesla Roadster (211-mile driving range) have the advantage of traveling on America's roads without having to spend a penny on gasoline. And even though the Chevrolet Volt uses a gasoline engine when its battery pack is exhausted, some drivers have managed to average 1,000 miles between gas stops.
The State of Washington, however, isn't too keen on EV drivers skirting the state's gas tax, which helps to maintain the roads that EV drivers travel on every day. According to the Associated Press, Washington has a $5 billion dollar deficit, and hitting the pockets of EV owners is just one way to help close the gap.
Washington's gas excise tax is one of the highest in the nation at 49.4 cents per gallon [PDF] -- 31 cents of the total is from the state, while the federal tax is 18.4 cents. Assuming that the average driver averages about 12,000 miles per year, a Nissan Leaf driver (EPA rated 99 mpg) would be only be skipping out on $38 of the state's portion of gasoline excise tax. For a Chevrolet Volt driver (EPA rated 93 mpg on battery power), the tax revenue lost by the state would amount to $40.
Washington's proposed EV fee, however, would amount to $100 per year.
"Electric vehicles put just as much wear and tear on our roads as gas vehicles,” explained the bill's sponsor, Democratic state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen. "This simply ensures that they contribute their fair share to the upkeep of our roads."
"So the question is how do you account for those trends and begin to capture revenue that reflects the actual usage of the road?" said Republican state senator Dan Swecker. "Our state doesn't change very fast. But we thought the $100 fee was a place to start, so let's start there."
Not surprisingly, EV owners aren't exactly thrilled with this proposed legislation. "The Legislature saw electric vehicles are coming and thought, why not just put a fee on them," quipped Dean West, a Nissan Leaf driver.
Sometimes, you just have to laugh. So now people are going to be swayed from buying an EV because they are going to be charged an annual fee!
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Philaduhphia
Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
so registration fees are used for what?
isnt this the same state that has issues with taxing its citizens due to lack of sales tax or the lack of income tax (and lack of opposite in a neaby state)??
of course they don't change quickly, thats why they're a stick in the mud of progress.
isnt this the same state that has issues with taxing its citizens due to lack of sales tax or the lack of income tax (and lack of opposite in a neaby state)??
of course they don't change quickly, thats why they're a stick in the mud of progress.
Last edited by DAKMOR; Apr 25, 2011 at 06:04 PM.
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Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
...ahem...washington native here...
From the humorous perspective: The EV owners all drive like douchebags here, so I wouldn't mind if they were bilked with a higher registration fee. A lot of our tax dollars come from fuel sales. Reg fees and taxes are also where we get a lot of money for much needed public transit. Seattle is still very much a 'car' city.
It is true we are a state with no income tax. The highest sales tax in the state is in King County; I forget which city, but ours is 9.8%, one of the highest. Shocking when you see the number, but considering no income tax...
We are also a state that is considering the legalized use of marijuana, to sell it alongside liquor in the existing network of state-run liquor stores. I'm not going to complain if it means allowing a few other bogus initiatives to pass, such as taxing EV owners
From the humorous perspective: The EV owners all drive like douchebags here, so I wouldn't mind if they were bilked with a higher registration fee. A lot of our tax dollars come from fuel sales. Reg fees and taxes are also where we get a lot of money for much needed public transit. Seattle is still very much a 'car' city.
It is true we are a state with no income tax. The highest sales tax in the state is in King County; I forget which city, but ours is 9.8%, one of the highest. Shocking when you see the number, but considering no income tax...
We are also a state that is considering the legalized use of marijuana, to sell it alongside liquor in the existing network of state-run liquor stores. I'm not going to complain if it means allowing a few other bogus initiatives to pass, such as taxing EV owners
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From: Mi Scusi!
Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
...ahem...washington native here...
From the humorous perspective: The EV owners all drive like douchebags here, so I wouldn't mind if they were bilked with a higher registration fee. A lot of our tax dollars come from fuel sales. Reg fees and taxes are also where we get a lot of money for much needed public transit. Seattle is still very much a 'car' city.
It is true we are a state with no income tax. The highest sales tax in the state is in King County; I forget which city, but ours is 9.8%, one of the highest. Shocking when you see the number, but considering no income tax...
We are also a state that is considering the legalized use of marijuana, to sell it alongside liquor in the existing network of state-run liquor stores. I'm not going to complain if it means allowing a few other bogus initiatives to pass, such as taxing EV owners
From the humorous perspective: The EV owners all drive like douchebags here, so I wouldn't mind if they were bilked with a higher registration fee. A lot of our tax dollars come from fuel sales. Reg fees and taxes are also where we get a lot of money for much needed public transit. Seattle is still very much a 'car' city.
It is true we are a state with no income tax. The highest sales tax in the state is in King County; I forget which city, but ours is 9.8%, one of the highest. Shocking when you see the number, but considering no income tax...
We are also a state that is considering the legalized use of marijuana, to sell it alongside liquor in the existing network of state-run liquor stores. I'm not going to complain if it means allowing a few other bogus initiatives to pass, such as taxing EV owners
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Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
Taxing fuel for road maintenance has always been the easy way but it's never been the fair way. If you slap a fee on EVs where does it end? If you drive a compact you're buying less fuel and paying less in taxes to use the same roads as the guy in the pickup. Do you put a fee on them as well?
Of course all of this leads to an even less desireable system of monitoring how many miles you drive and tax based on that.
Considering this I don't think it's unreasonable to charge an EV tax - but I'd also like to see exactly how efficiently all these driver taxes are being used. I know in Michigan we have some of the highest gas taxes in the country and our roads are natoriously among the worst. Always makes me wonder....
Of course all of this leads to an even less desireable system of monitoring how many miles you drive and tax based on that.
Considering this I don't think it's unreasonable to charge an EV tax - but I'd also like to see exactly how efficiently all these driver taxes are being used. I know in Michigan we have some of the highest gas taxes in the country and our roads are natoriously among the worst. Always makes me wonder....
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From: Albany, NY
Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
This is idiotic, if they need more money for roads then they should raise gas tax to something more than 31 cents. They should be encouraging people to move away from gasoline until EVs have enough market share to make a difference.
Passing this law in 2025 ok, 2011, just stupid.
And how many Tesla Roadsters, Nissan Leafs, and Volts do you actually see? More $100k cars a year are sold than EVs.
Passing this law in 2025 ok, 2011, just stupid.
And how many Tesla Roadsters, Nissan Leafs, and Volts do you actually see? More $100k cars a year are sold than EVs.
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From: Richmond, VA
Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
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From: SeVa
Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
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From: Livonia, MI
Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
Is that mainly a climate issue? Some friends of the family lived in Michigan for a bit and they talked about how fast the road crews up there could lay down asphalt and get the road done in a relatively short time. Compared to Va where road work is never ending and EXTREMELY slow and seems to be a form of revenue generation both from the increased fine zones and keeping people employeed
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From: SeVa
Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
The harsh winters might contribute to the poor roads, but it's not the only factor, and likely not even the most significant factor. I'm only ~1hr from the Michigan-Ohio border. I'm willing to bet you could literally close your eyes and cross that boarder and know exactly where you left MI and entered OH. It's funny, in a sad sort of way. As soon as you cross you can hear the difference in sound your tires make, that and you're not being jolted by potholes...
Seems to me though the absolute worst road I've ever traveled was on a trip on up into Quebec by way of Vermont.
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Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
The harsh winters might contribute to the poor roads, but it's not the only factor, and likely not even the most significant factor. I'm only ~1hr from the Michigan-Ohio border. I'm willing to bet you could literally close your eyes and cross that boarder and know exactly where you left MI and entered OH. It's funny, in a sad sort of way. As soon as you cross you can hear the difference in sound your tires make, that and you're not being jolted by potholes...
One of the other problems is that our fair state has some of the highest load limits in the nation, which I would bet tears up the roads even more. Ever even see a weigh station in operation in Michigan? The short answer is no.
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From: Alton IL
Re: Not So Fast: State of Washington Proposes $100 Annual Fee for Gas Dodging EV Owne
Makes sense really. Gas tax was design to found the roads. Actually, what would make even more sense is to remove the gas tax all together, and install a mileage tax.
Though the questions become, how many EVs are out there now? Will this make a difference now? If it won't make a difference now, would we be able to pass this bill 5,10,15 years from now when the majority of drives could be driving EVs?
But i'm still stuck on the gas tax. Why should someone who drives a V8 Camaro have to pay more for road maintenance than a 40 MPG if they both put the same amount of wear on the roads.
Though the questions become, how many EVs are out there now? Will this make a difference now? If it won't make a difference now, would we be able to pass this bill 5,10,15 years from now when the majority of drives could be driving EVs?
But i'm still stuck on the gas tax. Why should someone who drives a V8 Camaro have to pay more for road maintenance than a 40 MPG if they both put the same amount of wear on the roads.