ASA Calls Upon Congress to Enact a Fee on Electric Vehicles

Investing in the nation’s infrastructure provides far-reaching economic benefits. Recent congressional support for roads, bridges and public transportation systems has helped deliver much-needed projects to every congressional district across the country.  These improvements have enhanced safety, mobility and efficiency nationwide.

These outcomes are made possible by the continuity and predictability of funding supported by a healthy Highway Trust Fund (HTF).  At present, HTF revenues are generated primarily through user fees on the sale of gas and diesel fuels, along with transfers from the General Fund to make up for insufficient revenues. However, improvements in vehicle efficiency and the influx of hybrid and electric vehicles have resulted in a system where all users of the system are not treated fairly.  Instead, some users pay for the maintenance of the system, while other users pay less or nothing at all. At the same time, user fee revenue has not met system needs.

Based on the above, ASA, along with the Transportation Construction Coalition, call on Congress to enact a fee on electric vehicles comparable to what gas and diesel vehicles pay. While this solution would only partly enhance HTF revenues, it would help ensure all users of the system are paying for its upkeep.Further, we ask Congress to oppose any measures that would strip existing revenue from the HTF.  Proposals to reduce or eliminate revenue sources into HTF would only exacerbate the challenge of paying for the scheduled 2026 reauthorization of surface transportation programs.