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Testifying against an Annual Fee on Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

On Tuesday, February 13, Maine Audubon testified in opposition to LD 1806, An Act to Ensure Equity in the Funding of Maine’s Transportation Infrastructure by Imposing an Annual Fee on Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.

Over 15 individuals and organizations testified in opposition to the bill — from a town selectperson, to an employee of an auto garage, to a representative for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, to a host of proud hybrid and electric vehicle owners. While testimony was varied, opponents were largely in agreement that Maine’s transportation infrastructure needs funding, and that funding needs to be collected equitably. LD 1806 would not accomplish this.

According to the representative from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the average annual gas tax paid is $87. LD 1806 would impose a $150 and $250 surcharge on hybrid and electric vehicles, respectively, to “compensate” for the gas tax revenues they are not contributing, or are contributing at lower rates. Clearly, $150 and $250 is a great deal more than $87, and — as many testifiers pointed out — some hybrid vehicles (such as hybrid SUVs) consume more gasoline per mile than many conventional vehicles.

We were also struck by testimony from Barry Woods, Director of Electric Vehicle Innovation at ReVision Energy. Barry testified that the “electric vehicle revolution” is closer than we might imagine — perhaps only a handful of years away. As such, policy makers need to start thinking now about how to fund our roads in the future. Right now, a great deal of our infrastructure funding is tied to gas spending. As electric vehicle and other technologies improve, gas use will continue to decline (a good thing for our wildlife and environment).

You can learn more about LD 1806 and read Maine Audubon’s testimony below.


Testimony in Opposition to LD 1806, An Act To Ensure Equity in the Funding of Maine’s Transportation Infrastructure by Imposing an Annual Fee on Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

Public Hearing before the Transportation Committee
Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Good afternoon Senator Rollins, Representative McLean, and members of the Transportation Committee. My name is Eliza Donoghue and I represent Maine Audubon and our 30,000 members and supporters in opposition to LD 1806, An Act To Ensure Equity in the Funding of Maine’s Transportation Infrastructure by Imposing an Annual Fee on Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.

Maine Audubon is committed to building a culture of stewardship for Maine’s wildlife and habitat. Hybrid and electric vehicles reduce carbon emissions, which help to mitigate the effects of climate change on Maine’s wildlife and habitat. LD 1806 would deter Maine people from making a significant, personal contribution toward mitigating climate change and would not serve to meaningfully address Maine’s transportation funding problems.

Maine’s transportation sector generates a significant share of carbon pollution in Maine. In Maine, electric cars produce 75% less climate changing pollution than conventional gas-powered vehicles. In other words, investing in electric (or hybrid) vehicles is a meaningful step that concerned-citizens can take to decrease their carbon footprint. Maine Audubon has encouraged electric vehicle investment by installing a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station at our headquarters.

Of course, electric vehicles presently have a high purchase price (though hybrid vehicles prices continue to become more accessible to more people). LD 1806 would send a signal that electric and hybrid vehicle owners should be penalized and could have the effect of deterring investment in these vehicles, thus disrupting market forces that would inevitably decrease their price.

Maine Audubon fully acknowledges that Maine’s transportation funding is lacking. However, this bill is wholly misguided. Maine’s transportation funding shortfalls have far more to do with Maine’s static gas tax than electric and hybrid cars, which make up only 1% of cars in Maine. We encourage this Committee to consider comprehensive and fair funding mechanisms for increasing transportation-sector investments and to encourage investments in technologies proven to reduce our reliance are polluting fossil fuels.

Please vote Ought Not to Pass on LD 1806. Thank you for your consideration.