1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the recently enacted Road User Charge (RUC) under Acts 85 and 149 of 2024, which imposes a $50 annual fee on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) like mine. This policy is fundamentally flawed and unjust. PHEVs already contribute to Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure through gasoline purchases, which are taxed at the pump. Penalizing PHEV owners with an additional flat fee—regardless of actual electric usage—amounts to double taxation and undermines the principles of fair and proportional taxation. My vehicle has a modest electric range of 25 miles, meaning the majority of my travel relies on gasoline. Yet I am being charged as if I were bypassing fuel taxes entirely. This blanket policy fails to account for the hybrid nature of PHEVs and punishes responsible drivers who already pay their share. Furthermore, this fee discourages adoption of cleaner technologies and contradicts Pennsylvania’s stated environmental goals. It sends the wrong message to consumers who invested in PHEVs as a transitional solution toward sustainability. I urge you to introduce or support legislation that exempts PHEVs from the RUC or adjusts the fee based on actual electric usage. A more nuanced and equitable approach is essential. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing meaningful legislative action.