US Senator John Barrasso and 14 other GOP senators have introduced bills that aim to curb the electric vehicle (EV) market, citing concerns over highway maintenance costs. The first bill would eliminate the federal tax credit for EVs, including credits for buying or leasing new cars, used vehicles, and charging stations, effective 30 days after signing into law.
The second bill, sponsored by Senators Deb Fischer, Pete Ricketts, and Cynthia Lummis, proposes a one-time $1,000 fee on the purchase price of new electric vehicles. The justification behind this fee is based on calculations suggesting that EVs contribute less to road maintenance costs than gas-powered cars, with some estimates placing the average contribution at around $1,000 over 10 years.
However, critics argue that this fee does not account for vehicle size, weight, or efficiency and would disproportionately affect consumers. Notably, several senators, including Barrasso and Fischer, have received significant contributions from the oil and gas industry during their election cycles.
These bills are seen as part of a broader effort to undermine the EV market, which is already lagging behind global competitors. The proposed legislation has sparked concerns that it would sabotage the auto industry’s long-term prospects, particularly for Tesla, and lead to a loss of expertise in EV technology.
Source: https://electrek.co/2025/02/13/oil-backed-senators-introduce-bills-to-kill-7500-ev-tax-credit-add-1000-tax-on-electric-cars