License tags renewal increase

Mach T

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My renewal fee for my 2023 Mach-e GT license plate tags went from $478 last year to $554 this year, an increase of nearly 16%., about four times the rate of inflation!

Why?!?!
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pvc104

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My renewal fee for my 2023 Mach-e GT license plate tags went from $478 last year to $554 this year, an increase of nearly 16%., about four times the rate of inflation!

Why?!?!
Michigan raised their EV surcharge from $167 to $267 for this year.

Your registration cost would have gotten the annual decrease, so only a $76 increase.
 


tbrumleve

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Lots of states doing the same to recoup gas taxes we don’t pay. 💰My state increased it this year by an extra $30.
 

pvc104

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Overall, Michigan's numbers aren't terrible. I think they consider an average of 13,000 miles driven per year on a gas vehicle with a 25mpg average mileage and match the gas tax on that.

Still hurts those of us who drive a lot less than average and were driving a higher mpg ICE model previously.
 
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Mach T

Mach T

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Yes, it does. Being retired, I average about 6,500 miles per year. So I'm paying nearly double. I think there should be a break for retirees or anyone over 65
 

corradoborg

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Yes, it does. Being retired, I average about 6,500 miles per year. So I'm paying nearly double. I think there should be a break for retirees or anyone over 65
Basing it on age seems silly. I completely understand the argument that most retirees are on a fixed income, but that has little to do with the costs of road maintenance. If anything, it should be based on annual mileage. AKA, actual road use. Many retirees would still benefit from that.
 

RickMachE

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corradoborg

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I agree, but how to do it?
I would think this would be a "write your state legislators" situation. If enough people complain that flat fees for EVs aren't fair, they may be willing to change things. Make it clear that gas taxes are basically fair because the more a person drives, the more gas they have to buy, and therefore the more taxes they will pay. But a flat fee for EVs does not fairly spread the tax by usage. It penalizes those who drive less, forcing them to subsidize those who drive more.
 

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