Electric vehicle (EV) use and ownership is growing in Pennsylvania. Recent data from 2023 indicates that there are now more than 80,000 registered electric vehicles in the Commonwealth. At the same time, deposits from the gas tax into the Motor License Fund, which contributes money to road and highway maintenance, is on the decline due to EVs and hybrids.  

 

To remedy this, the Legislature passed Act 85 last session which requires owners of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to pay an annual “road user charge” upon registration and renewal in order to continue to support road and bridge maintenance. However, it has been brought to our attention that this law penalizes active-duty military service members when they are on assignment and stationed outside of the state. If these individuals had a standard vehicle powdered by gasoline, they would not be subjected to pay the gas tax when their vehicle was not in operation here in the Commonwealth. However, Act 85 creates a “one-size-fits-all" model that penalizes those who are serving our country elsewhere.  

 

We will soon be introducing legislation to exempt active-duty military service members from paying the electric vehicle Road Use Charge when they are stationed outside of Pennsylvania. It is our belief that service members should not be burdened with additional fees while they are away and sacrificing so much for our country.  

 

We hope you will join us in supporting Pennsylvania’s military families by correcting this inconsistency.