Support Fair EV Taxation—Remove Indiana’s Flat Supplemental Fee

I am writing as a concerned constituent to respectfully urge you to support legislation that removes or restructures Indiana’s supplemental registration fee for electric vehicles (EVs), currently set at $221 annually . While I understand the rationale behind this fee—to compensate for lost gasoline tax revenue as more drivers transition to EVs—the current flat-rate structure is inherently inequitable. Traditional gasoline taxes operate on a pay-per-use model: the more you drive, the more fuel you consume, and consequently, the more tax you pay. This system naturally aligns road usage with tax contribution. In contrast, the EV supplemental fee imposes a uniform charge regardless of miles driven, disproportionately affecting low-mileage drivers and those who primarily use their vehicles locally. Moreover, Indiana’s fee is among the highest in the nation, exceeding the average annual gasoline tax paid by many internal combustion engine vehicle owners . This disparity not only places an undue financial burden on EV owners but also risks discouraging the adoption of cleaner transportation alternatives—a move counterintuitive to our environmental and public health goals. It’s also noteworthy that Indiana currently offers no state-level incentives for EV purchases . The combination of high fees without corresponding incentives sends a conflicting message about our state’s commitment to sustainable transportation and may deter potential EV buyers. I urge you to consider more equitable alternatives, such as a mileage-based user fee, which would align tax contributions more closely with actual road usage. Implementing such a system would ensure all drivers contribute fairly to infrastructure maintenance without disproportionately penalizing those choosing environmentally friendly vehicles. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your service to our community and your consideration of policies that promote fairness, sustainability, and innovation.