Cornhusker State News

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, questioned transportation leaders about whether electric vehicles (EVs) should contribute to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). The HTF is responsible for funding the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges across the United States.

Currently, drivers of gasoline-powered vehicles pay into the HTF through a federal gas tax. However, EV owners do not make similar contributions. Due to their large batteries, EVs are heavier than traditional cars, which can lead to increased wear on infrastructure and higher maintenance costs.

Senator Fischer has introduced the Fair SHARE Act. This legislation would require EVs to pay into the HTF in order to help cover the costs associated with road damage attributed to their weight.

During a committee hearing, Fischer stated: "I want to be able to discuss with you both the Highway Trust Fund. Though the fund is outside this committee's jurisdiction, I remain concerned about its solvency and the impact that insolvency would have on our entire system, infrastructure around this entire country. Though not a silver bullet, we need to get electric vehicles paying into the fund. Currently, electric vehicles don't pay a dime. They are heavier. They cause more damage to roadways without paying for the repair, for the maintenance. They impact new construction as well. I have legislation that requires electric vehicles to contribute to the Federal Highway Trust Fund, and I know [Transportation & Infrastructure Committee] Chair Graves in the House has a proposal as well, and I appreciate his work to address this important issue. From your perspective, gentlemen, why is it important for EVs to contribute to the trust fund and for Congress to step up and address the fund solvency in our upcoming surface reauthorization?"

Chris Spear responded: "So, I would just say that all users have to pay. They do. If you're on the roads, you're on the bridges, you should pay. EV's don't, and they're heavier. It's a developing technology that we need to capture and ensure that our roads and bridges remain a priority, and that those using them are contributing to that."

Fischer then asked for additional input from another witness.

Mr. Pugh said: "Yeah, we definitely support some sort of registration fee or something going to the Highway Trust Fund with electric vehicles. I mean, by all means, why shouldn't they pay? They use the highways, and they should. We should also make sure we're not giving them special carve outs for hauling them or transporting them because they're heavier loads to haul and transport. We should make sure we're not doing that as well."

The discussion comes amid ongoing concerns over how best to maintain funding for national infrastructure as vehicle technology evolves.