Washington State Legislators Propose Fuel Tax Hike, Higher Electric Vehicle Fees

March 8, 2019

A draft bill issued March 1 and being debated by the Washington State legislature would increase the motor vehicle fuel tax by 6-cents per gallon and boost vehicles registration fees – especially for electric vehicles.

[Above photo of the Washington State capital building by SounderBruce.]

If passed, the fuel tax hikes and higher fees would be imposed starting July 1. They include:

  • A $15 per metric ton “carbon pollution fee” that would apply to the sale or use of fossil fuels within the state of Washington and the generation within or import for consumption of electricity generated through the combustion of fossil fuels.
  • A 6-cent increase in the motor fuel tax.
  • A $5 increase in the annual registration fee on most vehicles, such as passenger cars, motorcycles, sports utility vehicles, tow trucks, for-hire vehicles, certain trailers, and taxicabs
  • The “pull-forward” of an additional $10 per year weight fee increase on most vehicles, such as passenger cars, motorcycles, sports utility vehicles, tow trucks, for-hire vehicles, certain trailers, and taxicabs to July 1, this year versus July 1, 2022. That means that the effective increase will be $20 in each of the weight categories this year, if passed.
  • The cost of International Fuel Tax Agreement decals for commercial trucks will increase $22.50, from $10 to $32.50.
  • The current combined additional fee on vehicles powered by electricity will jump from $150 to $350 on July 1.
  • An additional 1 percent Bicycle Sales and Use Tax will be imposed as well, which will include electric bicycle models.
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