High registration fees?!

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It seems Texans pay $0.20 per gallon in state taxes, so a $200 EV fee would be the equivalent of buying 1000 gallons. Assuming a paltry 20 mpg for an average ICE vehicle (Texas is mostly trucks, right?) that's at least 20,000 miles. So $200 seems very high compared to what ICE owners pay. Or maybe the argument should be ICE owners pay a low tax. My state (Minnesota) pays $0.306 per gallon.
 
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It seems to me that it's only fair that we should pay something to keep our roads in decent repair (and, yes, I understand the argument that most of the roads are not in decent repair). Basing the "repair fee" on the number of gallons of gas one's vehicle consumes is fair. Paying a flat fee each year may not be as fair, but are you willing to have the government know how far you drive your non-gas-consuming vehicle (not to mention the hassle of telling them)?
 
On the plus side, it just means that EVs are now part of the mainstream; numerous enough that it's worth the effort to tax them, as those taxes or extra fees are no longer a deterrent to buying them.
 
In the Bend Over and Grab Your Ankles State (New York) so far there is not an additional fee to register an EV. In fact vehicle registration rates are relatively reasonable. But I hesitate to speak to loudly because the politicians in this state have a way of getting into your back pocket in ways you would not believe!
 
A progressive tax that doesn't penalize people for being poor, is what I prefer. If you can afford a $100K car, you should pay more in taxes for that car than someone that is just getting by driving a used Nissan Leaf.
 
Puppethead said:
It seems Texans pay $0.20 per gallon in state taxes, so a $200 EV fee would be the equivalent of buying 1000 gallons. Assuming a paltry 20 mpg for an average ICE vehicle (Texas is mostly trucks, right?) that's at least 20,000 miles. So $200 seems very high compared to what ICE owners pay. Or maybe the argument should be ICE owners pay a low tax. My state (Minnesota) pays $0.306 per gallon.
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You are absolutely right, IMHO. Any such state fee that is "advertised" to "replace" lost gas tax revenue should bear a close relationship to the state fuel excise taxes ICE drivers pay dedicated to roads (which we all share). BEV fees in many states (including the new Texas fee) actually far exceed any such comparison number. It is also interesting to note that the new Texas fee simply does not apply to PHEVs, as apparently any vehicle that burns any amount of gasoline (no matter how efficient in mpg terms) should not be subject to the fee.

The fiction that the state gasoline taxes on ICE vehicles are dedicated to road maintenance falters when one considers the ever-improving ICE mpg numbers, as well as zero fees on simple hybrids and PHEVs.

I don't mind paying a separate fee for my MINI SE's registration to help pay for roadways, but it should at least be a fair levy compared to ICE vehicles.
 
revorg said:
It seems to me that it's only fair that we should pay something to keep our roads in decent repair (and, yes, I understand the argument that most of the roads are not in decent repair). Basing the "repair fee" on the number of gallons of gas one's vehicle consumes is fair. Paying a flat fee each year may not be as fair, but are you willing to have the government know how far you drive your non-gas-consuming vehicle (not to mention the hassle of telling them)?
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The government already knows how far EVERY licensed vehicle is driven each year when the mandatory state safety inspections are made and reported.
 
Texas22Step said:
To be extra, extra clear, the initial registration for a new BEV in Texas is automatically for two years, hence the annualized fee remains $200.
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But..but..think of all the TX dealership staff that get 12 month leases for EVs and TX car flippers who claim the $7,500 EV tax credit each year!
 
JonR said:
How can I have freedom if you inspect my vehicle! That is just big govment sticking their noses where it don't belong!
/s
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Having spent decades as a proud New Yorker before moving to a higher altitude, I strongly disagree with you. In NY every year they did what seemed like a tedious inspection. Yes the enema in the tailpipe was annoying. But they checked the windshield, wipers, tire tread, signals, mirrors, brake linings, etc.

You may want to move to Beautiful Colorado where there is "freedom" the only thing done is the tailpipe enema, and that's only done in the metropolitan area.

Yes, it is illegal to drive with a cracked windshield here. Only of caught. But you can let go of your ankles, and pucker instead. The freedom allows you or any jackass to drive with bald tires, leaking shocks, cracked windshields. Signals - Plenty of BMW wannabes because they don't work. As a loser, nerd, pocket protector dork, I would rather know that the car the jerk cutting me off, or I just cut off had his brakes checked in the last year. Freedom has it's price. It may be my back and neck when the guy in the F150 exercises his freedom to run bald tires and can't stop for the red light.

In a nutshell, quit whining and think about how this lack of "freedom" actually helps you. I will take a picture of one of the hoopdies on the road that you wouldnt let your dead enemy be seen in. Duck tape holding the hood closed, spider web windshield, taped on brake lights to a taped shut trunk, 4 different bald tires....
 
Tommm said:
Having spent decades as a proud New Yorker before moving to a higher altitude, I strongly disagree with you. In NY every year they did what seemed like a tedious inspection. Yes the enema in the tailpipe was annoying. But they checked the windshield, wipers, tire tread, signals, mirrors, brake linings, etc.

You may want to move to Beautiful Colorado where there is "freedom" the only thing done is the tailpipe enema, and that's only done in the metropolitan area.

Yes, it is illegal to drive with a cracked windshield here. Only of caught. But you can let go of your ankles, and pucker instead. The freedom allows you or any jackass to drive with bald tires, leaking shocks, cracked windshields. Signals - Plenty of BMW wannabes because they don't work. As a loser, nerd, pocket protector dork, I would rather know that the car the jerk cutting me off, or I just cut off had his brakes checked in the last year. Freedom has it's price. It may be my back and neck when the guy in the F150 exercises his freedom to run bald tires and can't stop for the red light.

In a nutshell, quit whining and think about how this lack of "freedom" actually helps you. I will take a picture of one of the hoopdies on the road that you wouldnt let your dead enemy be seen in. Duck tape holding the hood closed, spider web windshield, taped on brake lights to a taped shut trunk, 4 different bald tires....
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'Shredded bits of tire' is the state flower of Ohio, dotting all the freeways.
I've seen on more than one occasion a vehicle with one of its rear wheels bouncing like crazy down the interstate because the shocks were shot at that corner.

I dream of routine and stringent vehicle roadworthiness inspections, like a first-world civilization.
 
fishbert said:
'Shredded bits of tire' is the state flower of Ohio, dotting all the freeways.
I've seen on more than one occasion a vehicle with one of its rear wheels bouncing like crazy down the interstate because the shocks were shot at that corner.

I dream of routine and stringent vehicle roadworthiness inspections, like a first-world civilization.
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Add requiring more than the ability to fog a mirror for a driver license for mine. But that would impinge on peoples freedom. Freedom to put my life in jeopardy because they are too lazy to read the damn manuals.

Pet peeve - the jerk making a legal right on red but waiting until every lane is clear so they can shoot straight across three lanes to be in the left lane.
 
Tommm said:
Add requiring more than the ability to fog a mirror for a driver license for mine.
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Everyone takes a driver test to get their license, and then can drive for 50 or more years without ever having to retest. I've always felt there should be mandatory retesting every 20 years or so. I know a lot of driving laws have changed since I got my license, and one of my great peeves these days is when left turners think they have right-of-way at a four-way stop which sure seems counter to the correct way.
 
I'm firmly convinced that 85% of people sitting behind the steering wheel (can't call them drivers) are totally ignorant of the common regulations about driving in a civilized society. And that's generously low.
 
Puppethead said:
know a lot of driving laws have changed since I got my license, and one of my great peeves these days is when left turners think they have right-of-way at a four-way stop which sure seems counter to the correct way.
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This is getting way off topic but whoever stopped first has the right-of-way at a 4-way stop. It doesn't matter if they are turning left, right, or going straight.
 
JonR said:
This is getting way off topic but whoever stopped first has the right-of-way at a 4-way stop. It doesn't matter if they are turning left, right, or going straight.
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I agree, I was referring to opposing cars that go simultaneously. Not only is it safer to let the straight car go through (not turning in front of someone), but it's a faster way to clear the intersection.
 
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