Why some Albertans see the new EV tax as a political move

William York has been driving his electric vehicle for about 5 years as president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Alberta he says there is growing demand for vehicles like his so when Alberta’s Finance Minister announced the province would Implement a yearly registration tax on EVS he and

Others felt it was just too early some are uh fine with it and they agree that electric vehicles use the roads and that they should pay their fair share so there is that reaction um and some just believe that you know this is um yet another step that this government is

Taking against certain types of Clean Energy Technologies starting January 2025 The Province will charge a $200 annual registration tax on electric vehicles not including hybrids that’s in lie of the fuel tax drivers of gas powerered vehicles pay at the pumps Saskatchewan is the only only other Province to have a similar tax Alberta’s

Finance Minister says the money will be used to help maintain roads and support other services I think all albertans would would like to to do their part in making sure we can maintain our Highway infrastructure um if you look around I think 43 or 44 us jurisdictions have

Already done this or are in the process of doing this over 9,000 electric vehicles are currently registered in Alberta compared to roughly 2.8 Mill million gas powered vehicles this electric vehicle owner says he wasn’t too surprised about the tax I see it as a like a barrier to stop people from

Buying EVS because we notice in Alberta there is like this year I noticed there is an increase of uh uh electric vehicles on the road York says the conversation about electric vehicles should also be a conversation about affordability he believes the province should be providing incentives for people purchasing electric vehicles what

This is likely to do is just raise questions for that prospective electric vehicle buyer who’s going to be like what is this government going to do next that could possibly make my life more difficult or more expensive as an electric vehicle owner I think that’s the major concern Alberta’s EV tax is

Expected to generate $1 million in Revenue this year and up to $8 million by 2026 Aaron Susa CBC News Edmonton

Alberta’s government recently tabled its budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year. One of the many things it includes is a new registration tax for electric vehicle owners. As CBC’s Aaron Sousa reports, some Albertans see this as necessary revenue to maintain roads while others view the move as just politics.

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