OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Senate lawmakers have approved a bill that would impose an annual $100 fee on electric cars to recover lost gas tax revenue.
Drivers would pay the fee every year when they got their car tabs renewed.
Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island included the fee on her transportation budget. She says the proposal was dependent on the electric car fee’s passage.
The Senate Transportation committee chairwoman says electric car owners need to pay their fair share of highway maintenance. Haugen says they estimate someone who drives a gasoline-powered car pays $325 per year in gas taxes assessed on a per-gallon basis.
The fee is expected to bring in around $400,000 in 2013.
Opponents argue the fee would discourage environmentally-conscious drivers.
The bill now moves to the House for approval.
