Woman expresses frustration on TikTok after discovering extra $200 fee for electric car plate renewal in the US (TikTok @jess.iereneexo)
Jessica Renee, a TikTok user, revealed her frustration after discovering that owning a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle can cost more than a gasoline-powered car.
Upon receiving the bill for renewing her car’s plates, she was surprised by an additional $200 fee, applied specifically to hybrid vehicles in some US states. Renee questioned the purpose of this fee, arguing that the money was not being used for tangible improvements to her vehicle.
The extra fee, known as the “fuel fee,” is charged in 39 states due to the fact that hybrid and electric vehicles use less gasoline, contributing less to road maintenance funds, which are typically financed by fuel taxes. These annual registration fees can range from $50 to $200, but in states like Utah, Georgia, and Kentucky, the amounts are even higher. In some cases, additional fees for electric vehicles or taxes on electricity are also applied.
While the money collected is directed toward infrastructure maintenance, many electric vehicle owners, like Renee, consider the fee unfair, especially since they bought their vehicles for savings and sustainability.
Some users pointed out that these fees replace the gasoline taxes paid by drivers of traditional vehicles, but others expressed dissatisfaction with the additional costs associated with transitioning to greener technologies.
Source: Unilad | Photo: TikTok @jess.iereneexo | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
@jess.iereneexo Between the electric bill and now this…throw the whole vehicle away #electricvehicle #chevy #chevyblazer ♬ original sound – JESSICA RENEE
