TRENTON, NJ – A legislative move in New Jersey aims to increase the gas tax and introduce a new fee for electric vehicle (EV) owners to contribute to the state’s budget for road maintenance.
Democratic Assemblyman Clinton Cal Breeze is spearheading a bill that proposes a $250 registration fee for electric vehicles, which will rise by $90 annually over the next four years. The bill enjoys bipartisan support.
The proposed changes seek to distribute the financial burden of infrastructure maintenance across all drivers, not just those using gasoline.
The bill also suggests raising the gas tax by $0.02, with incremental increases planned for the next five years. This comes as New Jersey residents already brace for higher highway tolls and a 15% fare hike in NJ Transit services. Critics argue that the cumulative effect of these increases could burden the state’s residents, potentially driving them to relocate.
Despite these concerns, Governor Phil Murphy supports the initiative, emphasizing the importance of robust infrastructure in the densely populated state. If approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, the new fees and tax hikes would take effect in July.