OLYMPIA, Wash. — Critics of a Washington bill to impose a road usage fee on electric and hybrid vehicles lined up to testify at the state capitol Thursday.
The bill (HB 1832) by Rep. Jake Fey (D) proposes to establish a voluntary road usage charge (RUC) program in 2025 that would levy a 2.5-cent fee for every mile that an electric or hybrid vehicle drives on public roads and highways. The fee would likely be calculated by an instrument connected to an EV’s odometer. The charge would then become mandatory in 2030, replacing special fees that Washington EV and hybrid drivers currently pay to the state. (See EV Road Usage Charge Bill Floated in the Wash. House.)
The measure is intended to replace shrinking state gasoline tax revenue used to maintain the state’s highways.
The bill’s critics include several business groups and contractor associations, which on Thursday testified before the House Transportation Committee, which Fey chairs. They voiced concern that HB 1832’s language could allow some road usage revenue to be redirected to non-highway transportation projects, something they contend would violate the 18th amendment of the Washington constitution, which requires gas tax and vehicle license fees deposited into the state’s motor vehicle fund be used for “highway purposes.”
“We don’t want to dilute the current [highway] funding we already have,” Mike Ennis, government affairs director at the Association of Washington Business, testified. Jerry Vanderwood, chief lobbyist for the Associated General Contractors of Washington, said highway projects already have to fight for money in the state’s budget.
Last year, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a mandate prohibiting the sale of new gas-powered cars in 2035, prompting Fey to address a road usage fee at this time.
The legislature needs to discuss and hammer out a road usage fee system to counteract shrinking gas revenues, Fey said.
Currently, electric and hybrid vehicle owners in Washington pay two annual fees that total $150. Under the current bill, starting in 2025, a vehicle owner would have the choice of paying either the $150 in annual fees or a fee calculated by odometer readings, which would be capped at $150. The RUC becomes mandatory for all EVs and hybrids in 2030.
“It’s clear that there is no other concept to replace the gas tax,” said Sharon Nelson, a member of the RUC steering committee that advised the State Transportation Commission on the issue.
Thursday’s hearing was a continuation of a hearing that was suspended Tuesday due to a lack of time.
After the hearing, Fey said changes are likely in the bill, but he expects to shepherd it to a full House vote this session.