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Posted: Apr 19, 2021 9:34 AMUpdated: Apr 19, 2021 9:35 AM

Senator Daniels Outlines the Drive Act to Tax Electric Vehicles

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Tom Davis
The full Senate has joined the House in approving a measure making sure that drivers of electric vehicles are helping support the state’s transportation infrastructure. 
 
Appearing on COMMUNITY CONNECTION on Friday, Senator Julie Daniels outlined House Bill 2234, by Senate principal author, Sen. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, and House principal author, Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, which created the Driving on Road Infrastructure with Vehicles of Electricity (DRIVE) Act of 2021.
 
Daniels said that one of the main sources of funding for Oklahoma’s roads and bridges comes from fuel taxes, but as electric vehicles have become more popular, it’s clear we must find a fair way to ensure those EV drivers are helping support our transportation infrastructure as well. Danies said   that ss what the DRIVE Act will do.
 
HB 2234 would levy a three-cent tax per kilowatt hour to charge an electric vehicle (EV). There would be no tax for EVs that charge at home.  The measure would charge registration fees for EVs based on the vehicle’s weight and type and would provide an income tax credit for charging taxes paid, not to exceed the EV registration fee.  The bill exempts charging stations already operational by November 1, 2021, from charging the tax until 2041.
 
The legislation would direct 85% of the revenue to the DRIVE fund for road and bridge infrastructure, which will supplement the state’s current ROADS fund, and 15% would be apportioned to counties for deposit in the county highway fund.
 
 
The measure next will be considered by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
 
 

 
 

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