HARRISBURG – The PA Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill proposed by Sen. Greg Rothman of Cumberland, Dauphin, & Perry Counties to replace PA’s Alternative Fuels Tax on electric vehicle owners with a flat fee. Senate Bill 656 would exempt electric vehicle owners from the tax and replace it with a flat annual fee of $290. The fee was calculated based on the average annual gas taxes paid by owners of gas-powered vehicles. Like the gas tax, the revenue from the flat fee will be deposited into the Motor License Fund for road maintenance and construction. Currently, electric vehicle owners are required to file monthly statements with the PA Department of Revenue and remit the alternative fuel tax on how much electricity their vehicle uses. However, most electric vehicle owners do not do this, or are inconsistent at doing so, due to the cumbersome process or simply being unaware. Rothman said his bill will simplify things for electric vehicle owners and ensure all drivers are contributing toward the maintenance of PA’s roads and bridges. The bill now goes to the full Senate.
SEN. GREG ROTHMAN