Gov. Katie Hobbs wants state lawmakers to enact new laws to ensure the drivers of electric vehicles pay their share of road construction and maintenance costs.
Drivers of gasoline cars pay an 18-cent-a-gallon tax when they fill up at the gas pump. The tax generates an estimated $538 million annually.
EV owners are currently exempt from this tax as their cars don’t use gas.
Hobbs doesn’t have any specific plans yet, but the Arizona Capitol Times reports her willingness will likely be the push the state legislature needs to take on the issue.
EV ownership has surged in recent years. Figures from the state Motor Vehicle Division show the number of all-electric vehicles registered in the state grew from less than 35,000 in 2020 to more than 58,000 last year.