DMV + property tax on EV

[Ruthie B]

Tag renewal for my car in NC is a whopper !! $845 total due includes a $214 ev fee, the county property tax and $30 vehicle fee.

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[ReverendPete]

Yeah, those EV fees are starting to crop up everywhere. It feels like we're being singled out, but in reality, it's to make up for the loss of the taxes on fuel, which are used (in part) to maintain roads, etc. What's unfair about it is that it's a flat fee, and you'd likely not pay that much in gas taxes in a year unless you were driving maybe 12000-15000 miles a year... But the alternative would be something like having to show your odometer reading every year, and have the tax calculated based on your usage, which wouldn't be too practical.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Yeah, those EV fees are starting to crop up everywhere. It feels like we're being singled out, but in reality, it's to make up for the loss of the taxes on fuel, which are used (in part) to maintain roads, etc. What's unfair about it is that it's a flat fee, and you'd likely not pay that much in gas taxes in a year unless you were driving maybe 12000-15000 miles a year... But the alternative would be something like having to show your odometer reading every year, and have the tax calculated based on your usage, which wouldn't be too practical.

I'd be fine with a state-mandated annual odometer reading since I'm not driving anywhere near as far as I used to when I worked 30+ miles from home and was driving to the duck club 3 times a week during season and to dog shows every weekend. Of course, were I still putting on those kinds of miles I'd be all in favor of a flat tax. LOL! ?‍?

 

[superdave80]

But the alternative would be something like having to show your odometer reading every year, and have the tax calculated based on your usage, which wouldn't be too practical.

Why would that not be practical? Roll up to a DMV or other authorized place, they scan your registration renewal, type in the odometer reading, and off you go.

 

[MonkeyNutz]

Yeah, those EV fees are starting to crop up everywhere. It feels like we're being singled out, but in reality, it's to make up for the loss of the taxes on fuel, which are used (in part) to maintain roads, etc. What's unfair about it is that it's a flat fee, and you'd likely not pay that much in gas taxes in a year unless you were driving maybe 12000-15000 miles a year... But the alternative would be something like having to show your odometer reading every year, and have the tax calculated based on your usage, which wouldn't be too practical.

Some states are obviously gouging EV owners with the fees. $450/year in WV for hybrid or EV vehicles is insane. Now there's the federal $250/year EV tax that will be collected by the IRS -- if the "big beautiful bill" passes.

I've seen it suggested elsewhere, but instead of taxing on the type of vehicle, the taxes should be charged when purchasing tires. Tax rates can scale based on load speed ratings of the tires and vehicles with more axles and higher tire counts will pay more as their vehicles have a greater impact on road wear. If you don't drive that many miles, there will be more time in between tire purchases and the tax you paid is spread out over more years. Taxes would be pro-rated, or in some cases exempt, on tire replacements due to damage or premature wear or when purchasing a set of used tires. This could replace all the road use fees and eliminate road/highway tax at the pump. Eliminate the need for off-highway #2 (dyed) diesel fuel as tax would be assessed on vehicle tire/track products.

Of course I don't see that happening because people will fight a new tax like that, no matter how you explain it to them. I'm not so sure many states would willingly give up their taxes at the pumps because many states rake in serious $$$ from their pump taxes. Looking at you, California. ....And Arizona. States that bring in far more than they need to maintain and build roads. But like most other tax revenue, it gets dumped into the "general fund" and used to pay for all the other programs and upkeep.

 

[MonkeyNutz]

Why would that not be practical? Roll up to a DMV or other authorized place, they scan your registration renewal, type in the odometer reading, and off you go.

In-person odometer checking would only be needed on older non-connected vehicles. Anything newer with network connectivity, the car can self-report quarterly or whatever. For older vehicles, let people self-report it on their tax returns and most states require periodic emissions testing and/or safety inspections at which time the odometer reading is already reported in most of those anyway. Dealerships/mechanics would report when doing any service on a vehicle. It would actually be very seamless once implemented and no-one would think twice about it. Many states already collect this data from emissions/ safety inspections and other sources as it is to corroborate with their own road usage and traffic data.

 

[ReverendPete]

Why would that not be practical? Roll up to a DMV or other authorized place, they scan your registration renewal, type in the odometer reading, and off you go.

Well, for instance, vehicle registration renewal where I live in Colorado is generally done on the internet these days, except in special circumstances... Doing it electronically or by self reporting would potentially be rife with fraud...

I do like the idea of letting newer cars self report it, although, that opens up another potential avenue for privacy issues. I'd worry if the government potentially got hold of other driving data from my car, like location history, driving habits, or how often I am potentially not obeying the speed limit, etc.

But honestly, if it saved me $100, I would happily drive to the DMV and have them verify my odometer, but it's certainly not as practical as renewing online.

 

[RickMachE]

How many of these threads are we going to end up with?

 

[ReverendPete]

How many of these threads are we going to end up with?

Almost as many as the "I want my speedometer centered again" threads, but not as many as the "my range isn't what it said on the window sticker" threads...

 

[devmach-e]

How many of these threads are we going to end up with?

All of them.

 

[AngryMan]

It feels like we're being singled out,

It's because we are being singled out . Its punitive . We need to sue using the 14th Amendment as our argument ..
"The government must treat all individuals the same way , impartially , under similar conditions and circumstances"
We are not being treated that way.
My registration will be $450 annually just for "gas tax" reimbursement if the Bigly Beautiful Bill passes . If I was treated fairly my gas tax fee would be around $120ish (state and fed total ) since I don't put a lot of miles on my GT. Last year was 5000 miles.
The federal fee is apparently based on just under 33,000 miles if you do the math. Where'd they come up with that number ? Google "average miles driven" and you get a range of 10 - 15,000 miles per year depending on which article the search engine is citing .

 

[4sallypat]

$800 renewal '23 Mach E for 1 year.

California!

 

[devmach-e]

It would be a similar amount for a ICE powered vehicle. Your California registration is mostly based on two things: original purchase price and a fair market adjustment. The EV specific portion is about $125.

 

[Dana3502]

It is fair to pay road use tax, but the analysis I saw said the $250 the federal government is trying charge is more than a pickup with average mileage would be charged. Also, some of that road money is going to build sound barriers in cities. If only every vehicle could be quiet like ours!

 

[Squire330]

Yeah, those EV fees are starting to crop up everywhere. It feels like we're being singled out, but in reality, it's to make up for the loss of the taxes on fuel, which are used (in part) to maintain roads, etc. What's unfair about it is that it's a flat fee, and you'd likely not pay that much in gas taxes in a year unless you were driving maybe 12000-15000 miles a year... But the alternative would be something like having to show your odometer reading every year, and have the tax calculated based on your usage, which wouldn't be too practical.

Virginia has a program where you install an OBD to report your mileage and you pay based on that. I'm a low-mileage driver, so I save about 30% over just paying the flat fee for 11,600 miles per year.

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