Bill > S1925

This bill proposes to establish a mileage-based road usage charge for electric vehicles and other non-internal combustion engine vehicles in Massachusetts, starting January 1, 2027. Specifically, the bill defines an "electric vehicle" as a battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle that can be recharged from an external electricity source, excluding golf carts and electric bicycles. Under the proposed legislation, vehicle owners would be required to pay an annual charge based on the miles driven within the state, calculated by comparing odometer readings from vehicle inspections. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation would be responsible for developing regulations to calculate and collect these charges, including establishing penalties for late payments. Vehicles already exempt from certain taxes under existing law would be excluded from this charge. The bill allows vehicle owners to potentially reduce their charges by providing evidence of miles driven outside Massachusetts. All revenue generated from this road usage charge would be deposited into the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. The goal appears to be ensuring that electric and alternative fuel vehicle owners contribute to road maintenance costs, similar to how traditional gasoline vehicle owners pay through fuel taxes.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1925