I welcome Governor Greg Gianforte’s veto of House Bill 188, which prevents the increase in electric vehicle (EV) registration fees. Here is the bigger picture.
It’s a race between freedom and Chinese communism. China is building EV factories faster and has 800,000 public charging stations.
Electric vehicles can cut the energy wasted in transportation by half. At today’s prices, and considering all costs, the average Montana family can save $ 1,602 a year by purchasing an EV SUV. Energy savings range from $ 2,537 / year ($ 3,400 / year for gasoline based on 25,000 miles / year divided by 20 MPG at $ 2.72 / gallon; to $ 863 for electric charging based on an EPA rating of 30 kWh / 100 miles when billed to Northwestern Energy 11.6 cents / kWh).
Electric vehicles can save enough money to permanently fix our underfunded problem with the highway infrastructure. Requiring an EV SUV family to pay an equivalent amount in lieu of the $ 0.554 / gallon excise tax would earn 692 / year; this family would still save $ 910 / year.
While most of us will be able to plug in electric cars at home due to long travel distances, especially for work and leisure, Montana’s economy will suffer without a network of charging stations. It’s an instant bipartisan infrastructure opportunity.