Reps. Miller, Weinstein introduce electric vehicle registration bill

Bill would slash registration fees on plug-in and hybrid electric vehicles in half

March 11, 2020

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) and Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) today announced the introduction of House Bill (HB) 546, legislation to change the definitions and reduce punitive fees on hybrid and electric vehicles (EV). Currently, owners of plug-in EVs are subject to an annual $200 fee while owners of hybrid EVs are subject to an annual $100 fee. This new legislation would see owners pay an annual $100 and $50 fee, respectively.

“This legislation would not only reduce fees but alter the definitions for hybrid and electric vehicles to more accurately define and identify hybrid vehicles for the gas tax based fee,”said Miller.

“This legislation is a win-win for Ohioans,” said Weinstein. “Reducing these fees will not only promote local growth in the expanding electric vehicle industry, it will also reduce carbon emissions as consumers are incentivized to make the switch from traditional, gasoline-powered vehicles.”

Ohio’s EV industry has been growing in recent years, with Cincinnati-based Workhorse licensing their technology to the new Lordstown Motors following the closure of General Motors’ Lordstown Assembly in March of 2019. Plans for a new EV battery cell manufacturing facility, also in Lordstown, as part of a partnership between General Motors and LG Chem are currently underway.

“Reducing these registration fees would have a minimal impact on revenue for infrastructure, while also improving the air quality in Ohio and incentivizing consumers and automobile manufacturers to embrace the new green technology,” added Miller.

“Our existing manufacturing workforce has Ohio primed to stake out a leadership position in this new industry, but we must demonstrate our openness to new technology,” added Weinstein. “Workers must also know we are equally serious about supporting them as we are industry. The EV industry must provide the same high-quality jobs that support families and communities that the traditional automobile industry has.”

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