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One of the benefits of driving an electric vehicle includes saving money on gas and other taxes. But this is making gas-powered car owners a little mad as they pay gas and diesel taxes to support the federal Highway Trust fund. The Stop EV Freeloading Act would offer balance. 

The Stop EV Freeloading Act wants $1,000 from EV drivers 

While Tesla faces declining sales, electric vehicles are actually becoming more popular as other automakers provide more affordable options. 

However, United States Senator Deb Fischer spotted an imbalance between EVs and gas-powered cars when it comes to supporting the Highway Trust Fund. 

Electric vehicle drivers still use public infrastructure without having to contribute to any maintenance or upkeep. 

Meanwhile, people with gas-powered cars are being taxed on gas and diesel to use public infrastructure. 

This makes it look like EV drivers are getting a free ride as traditional vehicle drivers are stuck with the bill for the construction of and maintenance of United States roads and bridges. 

The 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning on pavement
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning | Ford

To make matters worse, electric vehicles are heavier than gas-powered cars. The average EV is significantly heavier than other cars because their batteries are extremely heavy. 

As a result, they could cause more damage to the roads and increase maintenance costs without even forking over a nickel. 

Instead of attempting to tax EVs while charging, the Stop EV Freeloading Act proposes that people pay an additional $1,000 when they buy an electric vehicle to contribute to the upkeep of federal roads. 

People with gas, diesel, or hybrid cars pay 18.4 cents per gallon of gas and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel, so electric vehicle owners would still be saving a great deal. 

Plus, most electric cars still qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit, so the act would only reduce the credit to $6,500. 

This act isn’t out to get EV owners, it’s just a potential solution to protect infrastructure as EVs become more popular. As things shift to become greener, the infrastructure funding system has to adapt.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.