Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

BUILD America Act Proposes $130 EV Fee, Industry Decries Punitive

5/20/2026

50 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The BUILD America 250 Act would add a registration fee on electric vehicles to support the Highway Trust Fund.
It proposes $130 for electric cars and $35 for plug-in hybrids, increasing $5 every other year from 2029 with caps of $150 and $50.
Industry groups Zero Emission Transportation Association and ZETA call the fee punitive, noting it would raise $700 million a year—only a fraction of the $400 billion federal transportation budget.

History

Historical Context

Since the federal gasoline tax began in 1932 and the Highway Trust Fund was created by the 1956 Highway Revenue Act, about 70 % of interstate construction costs are covered by user fees. The 1968 Federal-Aid Highway Act continued this model, and the 2024 BUILD America 250 Act proposes new vehicle fees to similarly fund the nation’s transportation system.

1 of 2

Story summary

The BUILD America 250 Act would add a registration fee on electric vehicles to support the Highway Trust Fund.
It proposes $130 for electric cars and $35 for plug-in hybrids, increasing $5 every other year from 2029 with caps of $150 and $50.
Industry groups Zero Emission Transportation Association and ZETA call the fee punitive, noting it would raise $700 million a year—only a fraction of the $400 billion federal transportation budget.

1 / 2