New Jersey EV drivers discovering $250 bill in the mail with registration renewal
By: Lucas Frau
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... EV drivers who experienced sticker shock when they got their New Jersey vehicle registration renewal are not alone.
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Drivers in New Jersey who use an electric vehicle now have to pay an annual electric vehicle fee in additions to the existing registration fee, said the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
..... The state law that went into effect July 1 this year [2024] will change zero-emission vehicles an annual fee of $250. the annual fee increases $10 per year for four years after the initial payment.
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The electric car fee applies to any vehicle certified as a zero-emission vehicle under California Air Resources Board ZEV standards for the applicable model year.
Why are electric vehicle owners paying this new fee?
..... Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill into law on March 26. [2024] The legislation, which also renewed the Transportation Trust fund and included an annual tow-cent raise in the gas tax, will go toward funding state road projects and NJ Transit's capitol needs.
..... The electric vehicles will be paying into the TTF, which they had not done because they don't sue gas and therefore do not pay the gas tax. That specific tax is considered to be a user fee for driving on the roads. The money is suppose to go to road and bridge repairs, expansions and improvement projects.
..... Some state politicians were critical of the bill, saying it may prevent people from going green with their car purchase.
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Before the bill was passed, Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, said, "To do anything to discourage EVs in this state is a serious policy mistake."