Gas tax, electric car fee hike starts Friday

Washington's gas tax increases to 49.7 cents per gallon, and renewal fees for electric cars jump to $150.

John Langeler, KING 1:56 AM. PDT July 01, 2016

SEATTLE - Starting July 1, drivers in Washington will pay an extra 4.9 cents per gallon to fill up with gasoline or diesel.

The state gas tax goes up to 49.4 cents per gallon, which when combined with federal taxes, brings the total added cost to nearly 68 cents per gallon, the second highest in the nation.

The hike comes from Connecting Washington, a $16 billion transportation package approved by the legislature last year.

Also increasing, the electric car renewal fee, up $50 to $150.  It's an increase designed by the state to mitigate impacts clean energy vehicles have on roads. Right now, they are barely taxed at all.

"It does make sense to have some contribution from electric (vehicles) there," said J.J. McCoy of the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association, "But a $50 increase is pretty steep.  I think it will surprise some folks."

At least $1 million of that money will go towards increasing electric filling stations across Washington.

Copyright 2016 KING

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