The Louisiana House Transportation Committee approved a bill that levies a "road usage fee" on owners of electric and hybrid vehicles. The money will go towards highway and bridge maintenance.
State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says Louisiana relies on its gasoline tax to pay for road work. Hybrid vehicle owners don't buy as much gas as drivers of conventional vehicles, and EV drivers don't buy gas for their cars at all.
“And their fair share is that, with the evolution in the growth in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, that’s something we are not currently taking advantage of,” said Wilson.
The measure passed out of a committee on a 9-3 vote. It heads to the floor of the house.
Rep. Dodie Horton (R-Haughton) supports the measure. Horton says hybrids and EVs are using the same roads as other vehicles, but not paying as much in gas taxes.
“So I do believe it puts us all on a level playing field, if they use them, there should be some sort of usage fee,” said Horton.
The legislation calls for electric vehicle owners to pay an additional $110 a year, while hybrid owners would pay a $60 annual fee.
Rep. Barbara Freiberg (R-Baton Rouge) says the money would be collected when the owners of these types of vehicles file their state income taxes.
“Each person filling in an individual income tax return to report and certify on such return, the number of electric vehicles and the number of hybrid vehicles registered by the state and owned by the filer,” said Freiberg.
