Illinois Legislature Proposes $1,000 EV Fee

The Illinois legislature proposed a new $1,000 (US) annual registration fee for electric cars last week. The measure was justified as a means to ensure that EV drivers contribute to the state’s road maintenance. Revenue from gas taxes is a major source of funding in many US states and both federally and provincially in Canada.

Critics of the fee pointed out that a new car averaging about 24,000 km and with 9.8 L/100 km (24 mpg) would only pay about $274 (US) per year in state gas taxes plus a $148 (US) registration fee. It seems then Illinois is proposing a punitive tax on EVs.