The House Republicans have approved an annual $250 fee for electric vehicle owners to help shore up the federal Highway Trust Fund. The proposed fee is part of a broader bill aimed at supporting the fund, but critics argue that it unfairly targets EV drivers and ignores the issue of climate change.
The argument behind the fee is that electric cars contribute to road wear and tear, so EV drivers should pay for maintenance and repairs. However, this logic has been met with resistance from many who believe that the fee is unfair and would disproportionately affect low-income households or those on fixed incomes.
Proponents of mileage-based fees suggest that it would be a more equitable way to charge drivers, as it takes into account their actual driving habits. Several states have already implemented voluntary mileage-choice programs, which allow drivers to pay fees based on how much they drive.
Critics argue that the fee sets a precedent that could lead to taxation on other consumer goods in the future. They also point out that EVs are more efficient and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional vehicles, making it shortsighted of policymakers to ignore this aspect of climate change.
The move has been criticized as an attempt to discourage EV sales and shift blame away from the growing issue of climate change. As one columnist put it, “It’s no different from saying you now have to start paying an annual tax on that second refrigerator in your basement or the computer in your backpack.”
Source: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/article308749965.html