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Electric automobile owners in Illinois could take a large hit to their bank accounts after Democratic lawmakers in the state proposed an extreme hike in registration fees for electronic vehicles in the state.
The new proposal would increase the annual registration fee to $1,000, slightly higher than the current $17.50.
Unfair you say?
State officials believe the legislation will raise $2.4 billion for future projects, the major one being roadway improvement, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The bill was introduced last week by Chicago state Sen. Martin Sandoval, obviously a Democrat, who says the registration fee hike is necessary to help fund needed infrastructure improvements.
“Capital bills in Springfield are like the second coming of the cicadas — every 10 years — and that’s not the way to go in regards to funding our infrastructure,” Sandoval told NPR Illinois. “This is a transformational model. And hopefully, when we get done with passing this sustainable capital bill, we won’t have to have another press conference like this 10 years from now.”
The bill would also make things more expensive for residents who drive gas-driven cars. The state's gas tax would go up 19 cents to 44 cents a gallon, fees for driver’s licenses would double and the registration fee for non-electric vehicles would go up nearly 50% from $98 to $148.
State officials believe the legislation will raise $2.4 billion for future projects, the major one being roadway improvement, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The bill was introduced last week by Chicago state Sen. Martin Sandoval, obviously a Democrat, who says the registration fee hike is necessary to help fund needed infrastructure improvements.
“Capital bills in Springfield are like the second coming of the cicadas — every 10 years — and that’s not the way to go in regards to funding our infrastructure,” Sandoval told NPR Illinois. “This is a transformational model. And hopefully, when we get done with passing this sustainable capital bill, we won’t have to have another press conference like this 10 years from now.”
The bill would also make things more expensive for residents who drive gas-driven cars. The state's gas tax would go up 19 cents to 44 cents a gallon, fees for driver’s licenses would double and the registration fee for non-electric vehicles would go up nearly 50% from $98 to $148.
Unfair, you say?
“It’s outrageous,” Tesla owner Nicoletta Skarlatos, 56, told the Chicago Tribune. “I thought Illinois was progressive and would want to encourage EV (electric vehicle) ownership.”
“It’s outrageous,” Tesla owner Nicoletta Skarlatos, 56, told the Chicago Tribune. “I thought Illinois was progressive and would want to encourage EV (electric vehicle) ownership.”
Now you understand the definition of 'progressive.' It's how leftists feel good about themselves.
The rationale for the extreme hikes are that electric vehicles don't provide the state any gas tax revenue. One reason beyond the pollution question is that some folks just don't want to pay gasoline prices. But thanks to the progressives in Illinois, they get to pay a higher tax for that very reason.
The rationale for the extreme hikes are that electric vehicles don't provide the state any gas tax revenue. One reason beyond the pollution question is that some folks just don't want to pay gasoline prices. But thanks to the progressives in Illinois, they get to pay a higher tax for that very reason.
Electric vehicle companies Tesla and Rivian say they're against the legislation.
“Imposing fees on EVs that are over 400 percent more than their gasoline-powered counterparts is not only unfair, it discourages promising new technology that will reduce our dependence on petroleum, reduce emissions, and promote the Illinois economy,” Rivian spokesman Michael McHale told the Chicago Tribune.
“Imposing fees on EVs that are over 400 percent more than their gasoline-powered counterparts is not only unfair, it discourages promising new technology that will reduce our dependence on petroleum, reduce emissions, and promote the Illinois economy,” Rivian spokesman Michael McHale told the Chicago Tribune.
Sandoval says people who drive hybrids and plug-in electric hybrids won't have to pay the higher registration fee.
Unfair, you say?
This isn't the first time Illinois used a new program to raise additional revenue from local residents.
From 2010-2015, 1.2 million motorists in Chicago received 1.5 million tickets as part of the city's red-light and speed camera programs. Residents filed a class action lawsuit, alleging the programs violated the rights of over a million people after the city took more than $285 million, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The city agreed to settle, with the average resident getting about $36.62.
This isn't the first time Illinois used a new program to raise additional revenue from local residents.
From 2010-2015, 1.2 million motorists in Chicago received 1.5 million tickets as part of the city's red-light and speed camera programs. Residents filed a class action lawsuit, alleging the programs violated the rights of over a million people after the city took more than $285 million, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The city agreed to settle, with the average resident getting about $36.62.
Those who had paid their tickets before the lawsuit were screwed.
Officials hope the new gas and electric hikes raise eight times the amount of the red-light and speed camera programs. If not, they will find other ways to tax local residents.
Officials hope the new gas and electric hikes raise eight times the amount of the red-light and speed camera programs. If not, they will find other ways to tax local residents.
Maybe they could start taxing water and air.
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