In High-Tax Connecticut, EV Drivers Get a Rare Free Ride
Transportation columnist Jim Cameron makes the case that electric vehicle (EV) drivers in Connecticut are getting a "free ride" on state highways. Because EV owners bypass the gas pump, they also skip out on Connecticut’s 43-cents-per-gallon fuel tax—the state's primary funding source for highway maintenance and road repairs.
Cameron argues that this isn't just a missed revenue opportunity; it's an equity issue. Heavy EV batteries add significant weight, causing more wear and tear on roads than traditional gas-powered cars. His conclusion? EV drivers should pay their fair share through user fees, just like everyone else.
For now, Connecticut remains among a shrinking number of states—only eight nationwide—that do not levy a special annual registration fee or road-use tax on electric vehicles. In a state notoriously famous for taxing virtually everything else, it’s a rare exception.
The issue came to a head when state lawmakers introduced HB 5568, a bill designed to impose new registration fees on EV and hybrid owners. But when the proposal went before the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee, it hit a brick wall. A single public hearing drew overwhelming, unanimous opposition—54 testimonies against, zero in favor—and the bill quietly died in committee.
Meanwhile, EV adoption in the Constitution State continues to climb. As of December 2025, registered electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles topped 73,156—a 20% jump over the previous year, likely spurred by buyers rushing to purchase before incentive programs expire. Yet even with that double-digit growth, EVs and hybrids still account for less than three percent of all registered vehicles in Connecticut.
Between the Lines: Instead of adding yet another layer to Connecticut’s bloated tax code, why not scrap the gas tax entirely and modernize how we fund our roads? Forget "Pizza Capital of the World"—our border signs should read: "Welcome to the Sanctuary State of Connecticut: Where Cars Roam Tax-Free."