Punitive EV fees are wrong idea

The Daily Herald’s recent editorial titled, “An appropriate mission: Lawmakers are wise to seek balance between EVs’ benefits and road maintenance” on electric vehicle fees got it wrong. The legislation being considered in Springfield would make Illinois’ EV fees the highest in the nation, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. That’s hardly a “reasonable place to start.”

By helping to clean up our air, EV drivers save us all money on healthcare costs. Experts estimate switching to EVs and clean energy could save the U.S. $84-188 billion in healthcare spending and productivity by 2050. In urban areas where air pollution is bad now, cleaner air could save us up to $752 per person in health-related costs. Not to mention the avoided costs from climate impacts, and the invaluable impact of saving lives.

Illinois has set ambitious climate and EV goals for a reason; raising fees will undermine them. Things have already gotten harder this year with federal EV funds rolled back, charging infrastructure plans threatened and carmakers reducing production. EV drivers are a small share of the population. We should encourage more drivers to switch to EVs, not slap a new fee on them.

Springfield should reject this punitive proposal and pursue genuine fairness without undermining our clean transportation future.

Susan Mudd, Senior Policy Advocate

Environmental Law & Policy Center

Chicago