Reps. Miller and Weinstein give sponsor testimony on bill to reduce registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles

COLUMBUS– State Reps. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) and Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) today gave sponsor testimony before the Ohio House Transportation and Public Safety Committee on House Bill (HB) 346, which would lower the annual registration fee for plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles.

“Many of my constituents have contacted me to ask why they are being overburdened with these fees when they have made an environmentally conscious decision to drive an electric vehicle. If we are going to express that Ohio is open for business and open to green energy and technology, we need to demonstrate that to our constituents and the manufacturers of these electric vehicles,” said Miller. 

“Electric Vehicle sales are exploding nationwide, and we cannot afford to take that for granted,” said Weinstein. “If we’re going to move Ohio into a green energy future, we certainly should not be maintaining legislation that may effectively disincentivize consumers from considering EVs. This fee only serves to penalize families and penalize efficiency.”

The transportation budget in the 133rd General Assembly increased the Ohio gas tax and increased annual registration fees for hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles. HB 346 would lower those fees from $100 to $50 and from $200 to $100, respectively. This is the second time this legislation has been introduced, the first being HB 546 in the 133rd GA.

The bill now awaits further hearings in the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee.