Congress weighs a $130 yearly federal fee on EV owners

Electric vehicle owners would owe Washington a new annual fee under a transportation bill moving through Congress. The charge starts at $130 a year, and could climb to $150 later. Drivers of plug-in hybrids would pay $35.

The money is meant for roads. EV drivers skip the federal gasoline tax that funds highway projects, and supporters of the plan say the new fee closes that gap. It could kick in as soon as December if Congress approves it.

The fee rides inside the BUILD America 250 Act, a broad transportation package that pays for roads, bridges, transit, rail and highway and motor carrier safety programs.

There's a math problem for anyone weighing electric against gasoline. At current gas prices, an EV driving 12,000 miles a year would take less than six years to become cheaper to run than its gas-powered twin — though other expenses can tilt that calculation.

EV shoppers are already absorbing other hits. A $7,500 tax break for buyers expired, and automakers have rolled out workarounds to soften the blow. Tesla also lost its spot as the top EV maker as those expired credits dragged on sales, according to ABC15.