Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, introduced the Fair Sharing of Highways and Roads for Electric Vehicles (Fair SHARE Act) to ensure electric vehicles (EVs) pay into the federal Highway Trust Fund.
[RELATED: ATA's Dellinger calls on Congress to repeal FET]
The bill would impose a tax of $550 on each battery module with a weight greater than 1,000 lbs. intended for use in an electric vehicle. Furthermore, it would add a $1,000 tax on each EV sold in the U.S. As written, the tax would take effect Dec. 31. Fischer's office says the structure is modeled on the federal gas tax and the heavy vehicle use tax.
The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) receives funding through the federal gas tax and other sources, including the federal excise tax on trucks, trailers and accessories. Projections from the Congressional Budget Office, Fischer says, show the trust fund will become insolvent in 2028.
Fischer says as EVs tend to be heavier than internal combustion-powered vehicles, they should pay into the HTF accordingly.
"EVs can weight up to three times as much as gas-powered cars, creating more wear and tear on our roads and bridges," Fischer says. "It's only fair that they pay into the Highway Trust Fund just like other cars do. The Fair SHARE Act will require EVs to pay their fare share for the upkeep of America's infrastructure."
The American Trucking Associations is among the groups supporting the legislation.
"When it comes to paying for the maintenance and expansion of our road network, no one should get a free ride," says ATA Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Henry Hanscom. "The trucking industry makes up just 4% of the vehicles on our nation's highways, yet we pay nearly half the tab into the federal Highway Trust Fund — all while moving over 70% of the domestic freight tonnage. Clearly, trucks are doing their part to invest in the nation's infrastructure, and it is reasonable to expect electric vehicles to do the same. As fuel efficiency rises and adoption rates for alternative fuels accelerate, we must find long-term, sustainable and equitable sources of revenue for the HTF."
Other groups supporting the bill, Fischer says, are the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, Associated General Contractors of America, National Association of Counties, National Association of County Engineers and the National League of Cities.
