A woman was taken aback after discovering that her electric car is more expensive than a gas car for a specific reason.
Jessica Renee, known on TikTok as @jess.iereneexo, expressed her confusion about the cost differences between gas and electric vehicles. She shared a video with her followers showing her bill for the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and detailed her disappointment with the charges.
Renee commented: “So, at this point I’m wondering does it make more sense to have a gas vehicle or an electric vehicle.”
She then explained that she was surprised to find an extra $200 charge when she received her bill to renew her vehicle plates.
Reading the letter aloud, it stated: “The reason being, it says that ‘hybrid plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will be assessed an additional fee of a hundred, a hundred and fifty to two hundred.”
Renee was unaware that her state imposes a ‘fuel fee’ on vehicles like hers during the renewal process.
“What do you need an extra $200 for?” Renee questioned.
She noted that the $200 wasn’t for anything new since “it ain’t like you’re making me a new one,” she remarked.
Faced with the electric bill and this extra charge, she vented her frustration with: “Between the electric bill and now this… throw the whole vehicle away.”
Many US states impose an additional registration fee on these vehicles because PHEVs consume less gas, thus contributing less to the state’s road maintenance funds, which are partially funded by gasoline taxes.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 39 states have registration fees for PHEVs, typically ranging from $50 to $200 for annual registration.
In some states like Utah ($368.76), Georgia ($325.61), Kentucky ($260.23), or Tennessee ($235.03), these fees can be even higher.
Additionally, some states impose an annual battery electric vehicle (BEV) fee or electricity tax on top of the registration fee.
Generally, these funds are allocated for state infrastructure or highway maintenance.
https://www.tiktok.com/@username/video/7459931498343419179
The NCSL website indicates: “Vehicle registration fees are a reliable source of funding for state transportation systems. The increase in fuel-efficient gas-powered motor vehicles, alternative transportation options, and the increased presence of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles is contributing to a declining gas tax—the primary state revenue source for transportation.
“As the number of electric and hybrid vehicles on American roadways increase, state legislatures have imposed additional registration fees for such vehicles on top of traditional vehicle registration fees.”
Although Renee found the situation baffling, some commenters responded with understanding, with one noting: “Since you’re not paying the gasoline taxes, they have to get it from somewhere else. But to be honest, I would gladly pay that $200. Because I would’ve paid more in gasoline taxes.”
Others, however, shared her frustration.
“Girl I was so mad when I got my renewal,” one woman commented.
“All that extra stuff just for an electric vehicle smh,” another viewer expressed.