Owning an electric car in Texas could become more expensive in the near future, after state lawmakers have proposed adding a tax for those who decide to replace their conventional vehicles.
Texan authorities claim that a the new tax is needed to make up for lost gas revenue and helping raise money for road maintenance. State Rep. Drew Darby even suggested that electric vehicles “are tearing up the roads and need to pay their fair share”.
“Should we have the same registration fee for fuel-burning vehicles as electric vehicles?”, Darby asked, reminding about a similar tax introduced in Virginia and Washington.
Plug-In Texas, who estimates there are currently about 2,000 electric vehicles in the state, is worried that an extra registration fee will chase new customers and put an end to the mild growth the electric car market is experiencing right now.
Whatever the outcome, it’s not easy to sustain or counterattack such a tax and the problem needs to be addressed carefully. For example, owners charge their cars mainly at home, and already pay tax on their electricity. On the other hand, some electric vehicles occasionally use gas, which makes it difficult from the gas revenues effect’s point of view.
One thing’s for sure, the electric car taxation is going to be subjected to a very long and probably heated debate.
“Should we have the same registration fee for fuel-burning vehicles as electric vehicles?”, Darby asked, reminding about a similar tax introduced in Virginia and Washington.
Plug-In Texas, who estimates there are currently about 2,000 electric vehicles in the state, is worried that an extra registration fee will chase new customers and put an end to the mild growth the electric car market is experiencing right now.
Whatever the outcome, it’s not easy to sustain or counterattack such a tax and the problem needs to be addressed carefully. For example, owners charge their cars mainly at home, and already pay tax on their electricity. On the other hand, some electric vehicles occasionally use gas, which makes it difficult from the gas revenues effect’s point of view.
One thing’s for sure, the electric car taxation is going to be subjected to a very long and probably heated debate.