Pennsylvania Moves to Enforce Hybrid, Electric Vehicle Registration Fees
Pennsylvania has moved towards implementing registration fees on electric and hybrid vehicle owners in the state beginning next year, reports the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
Senate Bill 656 calls for EV owners to pay a $200 fee when registering or renewing registration for their vehicle, with that fee to increase to $250 in 2026. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle owners would in contrast pay a $50 fee that increases to $63 in 2026.
The bill passed in the upper chamber with bipartisan support over a year ago, but was met with pushback from Republicans in the House Transportation Committee who argued the maximum fee of $285 was too high, though this is about the same as what internal combustion engine drivers paid in gas taxes on average in 2021.
Last Wednesday, the bill progressed past the House in a 190-12 vote. While Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) admitted that he is typically opposed to introducing fees to consumers, he felt EV and hybrid owners should be pitching in for the roads they’re sharing with ICE drivers.
“We all have a responsibility to fund these roads, fund our bridges, and safety,” Benninghoff said. “These vehicles have a lot of weight to them, and their impact is significant.”
One of six Democrats who opposed the bill, House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chairman Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), countered that the bill would discourage people from considering switching to an EV.
The bill will now head to the state Senate for approval on adjustments to the fee amounts. If it passes, it will progress to Gov. Josh Shapiro for him to sign.
