Tesla Motors Club
On Thursday 3/15/18 HB 1541 will come up for vote in the State House. Here is a link to the proposed legislation.
New Hampshire HB1541 | 2018 | Regular Session
This bill will create an annual registration tax of $200 for electric vehicles and $100 for hybrids. Currently there are approximately 1200 EVs and 8300 hybrids in NH. The income produced from imposing this tax will be small, slightly over one million dollars.
Another NH Tesla owner forwarded several excellent reasons why it is not a wise to pass HB 1541.
1. HB 1541 taxes ownership instead of taxing consumption, so there's no incentive to conserve.
2. Out-of-staters get a free ride. Unlike the gasoline tax, which is levied on NH residents and out-of-staters alike, HB 1541 only penalizes NH residents. There's no attempt to collect fees from out-of-state hybrid and electric vehicle owners, who also use NH roads, and who should also be contributing their fair share to the highway maintenance fund.
3. It's a regressive tax that discourages electric and hybrid vehicle purchases, especially for low-income residents. HB 1541 is a slap in the face to young adults who try to do their part to reduce their energy use.
4. HB 1541 raises so little revenue that the administrative costs (such as DMV software enhancements) could exceed the revenue produced. Thus its effect is largely punitive.
5. Sales of electricity for electric cars are an important future revenue stream for New Hampshire's utility companies. HB 1541 will have a chilling effect on this emerging market.
6. Hybrid and electric vehicles produce fewer emissions than gas and diesel cars. This should be encouraged and rewarded, not punished.
Email [email protected] today and urge the House to VOTE NO on HB 1541.
You may also want to call or email your Representatives individually. They can be located using this link.
NH House of Representatives
The vote is on Thursday. Let's get this defeated!
New Hampshire HB1541 | 2018 | Regular Session
This bill will create an annual registration tax of $200 for electric vehicles and $100 for hybrids. Currently there are approximately 1200 EVs and 8300 hybrids in NH. The income produced from imposing this tax will be small, slightly over one million dollars.
Another NH Tesla owner forwarded several excellent reasons why it is not a wise to pass HB 1541.
1. HB 1541 taxes ownership instead of taxing consumption, so there's no incentive to conserve.
2. Out-of-staters get a free ride. Unlike the gasoline tax, which is levied on NH residents and out-of-staters alike, HB 1541 only penalizes NH residents. There's no attempt to collect fees from out-of-state hybrid and electric vehicle owners, who also use NH roads, and who should also be contributing their fair share to the highway maintenance fund.
3. It's a regressive tax that discourages electric and hybrid vehicle purchases, especially for low-income residents. HB 1541 is a slap in the face to young adults who try to do their part to reduce their energy use.
4. HB 1541 raises so little revenue that the administrative costs (such as DMV software enhancements) could exceed the revenue produced. Thus its effect is largely punitive.
5. Sales of electricity for electric cars are an important future revenue stream for New Hampshire's utility companies. HB 1541 will have a chilling effect on this emerging market.
6. Hybrid and electric vehicles produce fewer emissions than gas and diesel cars. This should be encouraged and rewarded, not punished.
Email [email protected] today and urge the House to VOTE NO on HB 1541.
You may also want to call or email your Representatives individually. They can be located using this link.
NH House of Representatives
The vote is on Thursday. Let's get this defeated!