Texas legislature passes $200 annual charge for electrical car drivers

The Texas legislature handed a invoice Thursday that might require the drivers of electrical autos to pay a $200 annual charge.

Senate Bill 505 handed with a unanimous vote, 145-0. If it’s authorised by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and turns into legislation, the charge could be applied beginning Sept. 1, 2023.

The charge is supposed to make up for income on the fuel tax, which EV drivers do not need to pay. EV house owners would additionally pay a one-time $400 charge when first registering their car. EV’s as outlined by the invoice are autos weighing 10,000 kilos or much less which are solely powered by electrical energy.

Data from the state’s comptroller and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles signifies that the good points from the charge would instantly outstrip the prices.

While the Texas DMV fund would incur a one-time price of $214,440 to replace automated programs, the charge would put $79.5 million into the Texas state freeway fund beginning in fiscal 12 months 2024.

“With the growing use of EVs, the revenue from the fuel tax is decreasing, which diminishes our ability to fund road improvements for all drivers. EVs use the same roads as petroleum-powered vehicles, thus they should be subject to an equalization of road use consumption amount,” State Sen. Robert Nichols, District 3 Republican and creator of the invoice, wrote in a press release of intent.

Electric car advocates are displeased with the brand new cost.

“Consumers should not be punished for choosing a cleaner, greener car that saves them money on fuel and maintenance,” Consumer Reports coverage analyst Dylan Jaff stated in a press release.

Consumer Reports urged Texas lawmakers to decrease the charge to $71 to match the typical fuel tax paid by drivers of non-electric autos. The client advocacy group additionally contends that the fuel tax solely contributed to 29% of funding for roads in Texas — the state’s 20 cent fuel tax was set in 1991, and has not been altered since.