While the Washington State has been in the practice of giving out sales tax exemptions to encourage its residents to buy more electric vehicles, a new fee going into effect February 1 seems to send the opposite signal--at least on the surface.
Thanks to Section 10 of Engrossed House Bill 2660, vehicles powered solely by electricity and capable of at least 35 mph must will cost their owners an additional $100 fee at the time of annual car registration.
So what gives? The state's reasoning is that electric vehicles aren't using gasoline and therefore, those drivers avoid paying the state's gasoline tax. While it may seem a bit odd to force EV owners to pay a tax on something they no longer use, the state points out that the funds are used to "mitigate the impact of vehicles on state roads and highways," a cost that should be shared by all vehicle owners.