North Dakota lawmaker eyes fee for electric and hybrid vehicles, calls it a matter of 'fairness'

BISMARCK — Owners of electric and hybrid vehicles in North Dakota would pay an annual fee to make up for lost gas tax revenue under a bill crafted by a Grand Forks lawmaker.

Republican state Sen. Curt Kreun said his proposal would help balance the scales between owners of traditional gas guzzlers who help fund road improvements by paying fuel taxes and drivers of more environmentally friendly vehicles who use those same roads. Under his bill, electric vehicle owners would face an annual $248 “road use fee” and hybrid drivers would see a $71 annual bill.

The fee amounts were calculated using average fuel economy and annual mileage figures. If passed, the electric vehicle fee would be the largest among the 20 states that already impose one, said Kevin Pula, a senior policy specialist with the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Kreun’s bill, which will be debated during the legislative session that starts next month, comes as officials warn of heavy costs to maintain North Dakota’s transportation system. A report the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute released earlier this year pegged the state’s total infrastructure funding needs at $21.2 billion between 2016 and 2035.

Read more: https://www.inforum.com/news/government-and-politics/938102-North-Dakota-lawmaker-eyes-fee-for-electric-and-hybrid-vehicles-calls-it-a-matter-of-fairness