Kansas Considering Electric Car Tax

The State of Kansas is one of several states considering a special tax on electric cars.  While on the surface, this appears to be unfair, Rep. Tom Sloan (R-KS), who supports the measure, explained the thought process behind the

measure.

Kansas, like many other states, charges a tax on gasoline, which is used to fund new road building and road maintenance projects.  The concern is that if everyone begins driving electric cars, that tax revenue will dry up and the State won’t be able to build new roads or maintain those they already have.

But in Kansas, the proposed amount would be less than a penny of tax for each kilowatt-hour of electricity used to charge an electric car.  The move would require electric car owners to install a second electric meter dedicated to recording the electricity used to charge their vehicle.  This power would then be taxed at a higher rate by the utility companies, with the additional revenue being turned over to the State.  The less-than-a-penny tax per kilowatt hour would equate to about a 12% tax at average Kansas electricity rates, while a half-penny tax would work out to being a 6% additional tax.

Gasoline is currently taxed at about 7% in Kansas.

Opponents of the tax feel that this measure could well hamper the expansion of electric vehicles and their necessary infrastructure in the State.   While most feel that electric car owners should contribute something toward the upkeep of Kansas roads, many feel that a flat tax, like the one proposed for Washington State, makes more sense.

Currently, the Kansas House Energy And Utilities Committee has not acted on the proposed legislation.  And it remains to be seen whether, if the measure passes, it will affect owners of LSVs and NEVs as well.

To read the entire article, visit the Green Car Reports website at http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1072182_kansas-considers-taxing-electric-car-owners-when-they-plug-in.