Act Now: Georgia Electric Car Buyers Could Get The Shaft, Lose $5,000 Incentive & “Gain” A $200/Year Fee

Originally published on EV Obsession.

Georgia’s House and Senate have passed a bill that would eliminate the state’s $5,000 zero-emission-vehicle (ZEV) tax credit and also put a $200/year road usage fee on electric vehicles. Oy, not good news. The bill hasn’t been signed into law yet, and if you want to fight against that happening, you can contact Georgia’s top two in command:

Governor Nathan Deal:  https://gov.georgia.gov/webform/contact-governor-domestic-form

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle: http://ltgov.georgia.gov/contact-lt-governor

One reason to reject this bill is that the ZEV tax credit comes with some big economic advantages. As our friends at the Atlanta Electric Vehicle Development Coalition write, “Adding 30,000 EVs to Georgia Roads adds $914 Million in economic benefit over next 3 years!” Read that post for the details.

Of course, electric vehicles also cut global warming pollution, other air pollution, and the urban heat island effect — all of which results in saved lives and a better quality of life. Furthermore, they cut our reliance on limited foreign oil and improve energy independence and self-reliance.

The good news out of Georgia: a bill allowing Tesla to sell more than 150 vehicles in the state and open up 5 more stores has also passed the Georgia General Assembly, so it is also sitting on Governor Nathan Deal’s desk. But, yeah, that wouldn’t make up for cutting the state’s ZEV $5,000 incentive and adding on a $200/year fee.

So, if you haven’t done so already, go ahead and contact Georgia’s head honcho and second in command!

Governor Nathan Deal:  https://gov.georgia.gov/webform/contact-governor-domestic-form

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle: http://ltgov.georgia.gov/contact-lt-governor

Image: Tesla Model S in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dave Malkoff (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)