Some consumers are getting caught up in an ongoing debate over electric vehicles — and it’s making ownership more expensive.
While safety experts are worried about whether EVs are too heavy and the Biden administration is spending millions to build out a national charging network, a number of state governments are fretting over lost revenue.
Historically, drivers have been taxed heavily on gasoline purchases by both federal and state governments. It averages out to about 51 cents per gallon and is intended to fund roads and similar infrastructure, but many states use gas tax funds to fill in other budget gaps — from law enforcement to education and even tourism.
Electric vehicle owners, of course, don’t need to buy very much gasoline. So as more people make the switch, states lose more of the revenue they’ve come to rely upon. Some have introduced a quick fix: hefty additional registration fees for owners of electric or hybrid vehicles.
Following is a look at the states charging the highest additional fees to owners of all-electric vehicles, either folded into standard registration fees or added separately — but in each state adding at least $200 in fees that gas vehicle owners avoid.
Alabama
Additional annual fees charged to electric vehicle owners: $200
In March 2019, Alabama passed the Rebuild Alabama Act, which levies “an annual license tax and registration fee of $200.00 on each battery electric vehicle operated on the public highways of this state.” That’s in addition to the standard fees. For plug-in hybrids, the added fee is only $100.
Arkansas
Additional annual fees charged to electric vehicle owners: $200
Arkansas charges annual registration fees for all vehicles according to weight. The fee on alternative fuel vehicles — $200 for electric, $100 for plug-in hybrid and $50 for other hybrids — is a flat add-on, without weight considerations. But since even the lightest electric vehicles weigh over 3,000 pounds, these drivers end up paying higher standard fees too.
Georgia
Additional annual fees charged to electric vehicle owners: $210.87
If Georgia’s EV fee seems like an oddly specific number, that’s because it automatically changes each year. Says the Georgia Department of Revenue:
“Under Georgia law, certain Alternative Fuel Vehicles are subject to annual licensing fees. These fees must be adjusted each year according to a statutory formula based on the percentage increase or decrease in average motor vehicle fuel efficiency as measured by the United States Department of Energy.”
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are exempt from the added fees unless they choose to use an “alternative fuel vehicle license plate.”
Michigan
Additional annual fees charged to electric vehicle owners: $140 or $240 depending on weight
Michigan bases its EV fees on gas taxes, and they vary based on weight. As set in 2022, this means all-electric vehicles that weigh 8,000 pounds or more (some pickups and SUVs) face an extra fee of $240 while lighter vehicles are charged $140. Plug-in hybrids pay a lesser fee of either $50 or $120.
Ohio
Additional annual fees charged to electric vehicle owners: $200
Plug-in all-electric vehicle owners in the Buckeye State are charged an additional fee of $200 while hybrid vehicle owners pay an additional $100.
Texas
Additional annual fees charged to electric vehicle owners: $200
In 2023, Texas passed SB 505, a law that singles out new electric vehicles for a stiff $400 initial registration fee on top of the usual ones. Every year after that, the additional fee is $200.
“This aims to solve a growing problem where only petroleum powered vehicles are paying into the transportation fund while all vehicles benefit from this funding,” according to statement of intent from the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Robert Nichols.
Washington
Additional annual fees charged to electric vehicle owners: $225
Washington state charges two additional fees to EV owners which, taken together, add $225 to the annual bill. There’s a $150 “electric car fee” plus a $75 “transportation electrification” fee. Electric motorcycles are charged a $30 fee instead of the $150 one.
West Virginia
Additional annual fees charged to electric vehicle owners: $200
All-electric vehicles in West Virginia are charged an annual fee of $200 while hybrids are charged $100. That’s on top of the normal tag renewal rates, which range from about $52 to $77 depending on the selected style.
Wyoming
Additional annual fees charged to electric vehicle owners: $200
Drivers of plug-in electric vehicles registered in Wyoming pay an extra $200 road maintenance fee each year. A bill that failed in early 2023 would have increased the fee to $350 and added a $175 fee for plug-in hybrids.
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