Staff report

Saying an additional $100 annual registration fee paid by owners of hybrid vehicles is unfair, state Rep. David Thomas is sponsoring legislation to eliminate it.

“This is a taxpayer fairness idea,” said Thomas, R-Jefferson, whose district includes portions of Trumbull County. “We should be treating folks as fairly as possible.”

The bill is being co-sponsored by state Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, who has previously sponsored legislation to remove additional fees for hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles without success.

This new bill focuses only on hybrid vehicles.

During the state’s last gas tax increase in 2019, additional annual registration fees were assessed to vehicles not solely powered by gas. Those with hybrid vehicles pay an extra $100 a year while those with plug-in hybrids pay $150 and owners of electric vehicles pay $200.

Thomas said of the additional fees imposed to offset the lower gas tax paid by these vehicles: “I understand the logic, but the reality is those with hybrids are double paying. They pay on the gas tax side and they pay extra for registration fees. It is not right, especially when now most cars are some sort of a hybrid vehicle.”

Miller said: “Although they may improve fuel economy, the gas tax combined with the elevated registration fee puts an undue and unfair burden on the owners of these vehicles. This bill is about leveling the playing field and ensuring an equitable fee structure.”