Georgia’s House and Senate have passed a bill that would eliminate the state’s $5,000 zero-emission-vehicle (ZEV) tax credit and also put a $200/year road usage fee on electric vehicles. Oy, not good news. The bill hasn’t been signed into law yet, and if you want to fight against that happening, you can contact Georgia’s top two in command:
Governor Nathan Deal: https://gov.georgia.gov/webform/contact-governor-domestic-form
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle: http://ltgov.georgia.gov/contact-lt-governor
One reason to reject this bill is that the ZEV tax credit comes with some big economic advantages. As our friends at the Atlanta Electric Vehicle Development Coalition write, “Adding 30,000 EVs to Georgia Roads adds $914 Million in economic benefit over next 3 years!” Read that post for the details.
Of course, electric vehicles also cut global warming pollution, other air pollution, and the urban heat island effect — all of which results in saved lives and a better quality of life. Furthermore, they cut our reliance on limited foreign oil and improve energy independence and self-reliance.
The good news out of Georgia: a bill allowing Tesla to sell more than 150 vehicles in the state and open up 5 more stores has also passed the Georgia General Assembly, so it is also sitting on Governor Nathan Deal’s desk. But, yeah, that wouldn’t make up for cutting the state’s ZEV $5,000 incentive and adding on a $200/year fee.
So, if you haven’t done so already, go ahead and contact Georgia’s head honcho and second in command!
Governor Nathan Deal: https://gov.georgia.gov/webform/contact-governor-domestic-form
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle: http://ltgov.georgia.gov/contact-lt-governor
Image: Tesla Model S in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dave Malkoff (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
I get the argument that drivers of Electric Vehicles no longer pay State tax on gasoline and the States want to recoup lost tax revenue. What I don’t get is GA State fuel tax is 26.5 cents per gallon. The average miles driven is 12,000 miles per year and the average full economy of the US fleet is around 20 miles per gallon, this comes out to 600 gallons per year generating $159 dollars in State tax revenue per year.
As the exhaust from gas vehicles are a primary contributor to the breakdown of roads, why are electric vehicles being charged %25 more in road tax than a gasoline car? This is ridiculous.
In addition, electric cars allow citizens to keep a little more of their hard earned money which ultimately bolsters the economy … especially the local economy and Georgia wants to kill one of the most successful EV markets in the US.
This has to be politician math. 2 + 2 = 3
wow the state is acting like there are a lot of EVs on the roads in order kill and reverse EV incentives. Sad, i’m glad i don’t live there.