House Panel Clears Bill Imposing $130 Annual Fee on EVs

A proposed federal highway bill would impose annual fees of $130 on electric vehicles and $35 on plug-in hybrids, collected through state vehicle registration. The measure has cleared the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee but has not passed Congress, and states may need years to set up collection, so the fee is not expected to begin immediately. Under the proposal, fees would rise by $5 every two years starting in 2029, up to $150 for EVs and $50 for plug-in hybrids. Supporters say the charge would ensure EV drivers contribute to road funding, which currently relies heavily on gasoline taxes; the Congressional Budget Office estimates it would raise about $12 billion through fiscal 2036, a relatively small contribution to the Highway Trust Fund’s projected shortfall.