This bill proposes a new tiered registration fee schedule for electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) based on their weight, replacing the current flat fee structure. The existing law, RSA 261:141-c, is repealed and reenacted to establish the following fees: for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), there will be no fee for those under 1,000 lbs, a $50 fee for those between 1,001 and 3,000 lbs, a $100 fee for those between 3,001 and 8,000 lbs, and a $150 fee for those over 8,000 lbs. PHEVs will maintain a flat fee of $50 regardless of weight. The bill also allows the division of motor vehicles to determine vehicle classification and weight based on manufacturer specifications and registration records, and it mandates that the fees collected be deposited into the highway fund.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and it is expected to have an indeterminable impact on state revenue and local revenue due to the lack of available vehicle weight data. The Department of Safety anticipates a one-time cost of $45,000 in FY 2027 to implement the necessary system changes for this new fee structure. The bill aims to create a more equitable registration fee system that reflects the weight of the vehicles, potentially influencing the overall revenue generated from EV registrations in the state.