OOIDA Applauds Bill To Ensure Funding Fairness on The Roads - EVs Currently Do Not Contribute To The Highway Trust Fund

WASHINGTON , DC… The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) announced its support for the Fair Sharing of Highways and Roads for Electric Vehicles (Fair SHARE) Act, which would to support nationwide infrastructure investments and promote fairness among drivers. The bill, introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD), would ensure that electric vehicles (EVs) pay into the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) to support the construction and maintenance of U.S. roads and bridges.

Gasoline-powered cars pay into the HTF through the gas tax, but as of now, EVs do not contribute to the HTF at all. However, the average EV is significantly heavier than its gas-powered counterpart due to the weight of large EV batteries. The Fair SHARE Act would require additional investment in the HTF for EVs with heavier batteries to account for the road damage and increased maintenance costs they cause.

In addition to Senator Fischer, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE.).

"America’s truckers are the backbone of our supply chain and make significant contributions to maintaining our roads and bridges by paying several taxes that support the Highway Trust Fund,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer.“However, truckers are understandably frustrated that EVs currently pay nothing to the HTF despite having equal access to the roads and highways maintained by taxpayers. OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we represent appreciate the leadership of Senator Fischer and Representative Johnson in ensuring fairness on America’s roadways. We understand the importance of investing in the vital infrastructure that keeps our economy moving.”

 “EVs can weigh up to three times as much as gas-powered cars, creating more wear and tear on our roads and bridges. It’s only fair that they pay into the Highway Trust Fund just like other cars do. The Fair SHARE Act will require EVs to pay their fair share for the upkeep of America’s infrastructure,” said Senator Fischer. 

“EV drivers use our highways just as much as gas-powered vehicles, yet they are currently exempt from paying into the Highway Trust Fund because the Biden administration wanted to score points with its radical climate change base. The days of liberal elites in their expensive EV’s getting a free pass are over; they are contributing to wear and tear on our roads, and they should be forced to pay their fair share in repairs just like the rest of us,” said Senator Lummis.

“EVs are heavier than other consumer vehicles, and increase the wear and tear on our roads. EV drivers also don’t pay a gas tax like other drivers do,” said Senator Ricketts. “That’s wrong. This bill ensures Americans fueling their vehicles are not forced to pay for EV drivers.” 

“The Highway Trust Fund is on the road to insolvency,” said Congressman Johnson. “It’s time to consider real changes and ensure EVs pay their fair share to maintain our roads and bridges. I’m grateful for Senator Fischer’s leadership on this bill that will undoubtedly create a more stable Highway Trust Fund, ensuring the government can continue to make meaningful investments in our road infrastructure needs.”

Supportive Organizations:

American Trucking Associations, American Road and Transportation Builders Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, Associated General Contractors of America, National Association of Counties, National Association of County Engineers, National League of Cities, and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. 

Additional Information:

The HTF supports over 90 percent of federal highway aid to states. The HTF was meant to be funded primarily by the federal gas tax. However, since the gas tax was last raised in 1993, the HTF faces insolvency due to more fuel-efficient vehicles on the roads, leading to reduced fuel consumption.

EVs are not subject to the gas tax and do not contribute to the HTF. Furthermore, their heavy batteries (up to triple the weight of gas-powered cars) lead to more extensive road wear, causing more maintenance and greater costs.

The Fair SHARE Act would fix this discrepancy by implementing a fee at the manufacturer level at the point of sale of EVs. This ensures that every vehicle on the road is paying into the HTF and supporting critical repairs to America’s infrastructure.