Several states are imposing higher registration costs for EVs to recover the loss in revenue from gas taxes. Many, like Texas, make EV owners pay hundreds extra in order to help maintain the roads. Kentucky is joining the list of expensive states to own an EV in, as it will increase registration fees by 5% in 2025.

Currently, Kentucky charges EV owners $120 in registration fees. Hybrids, including plug-in hybrids, cost $60 to register. Those fees are in addition to the normal $25 annual fee to register a vehicle in Kentucky, reported WHAS.

“They are intended to ensure that EV and hybrid owners contribute to the cost of maintaining and developing Kentucky’s transportation infrastructure,” reads Drive Kentucky’s webpage.

“The fees are collected by the county clerk at the time of initial registration and each year upon annual vehicle registration renewal.”

Starting January 1, standard hybrids will no longer be subject to the $60 add-on fee. However, plug-in hybrids will have to pay $126 in registration, and EVs will cost the same.

Readers were confused about the changes

Many of the outlet’s readers questioned why Kentucky would charge PHEVs the same as EVs.

“This should regulated by battery size!!! PHEV does not equal BEV,” wrote a reader. “I don’t understand why it’s a flat rate for both. PHEVs still utilize gas.”

Some felt it was only fair, as internal combustion engine drivers have been paying gas taxes for years.

“We pay has tax to maintain the roads,” they wrote. “Electric Vehicles should have to contribute, too.”

Others felt it was unfair to have EVs and hybrids pushed on the public, only to make ownership more expensive.

“They conveniently forgot to mention they pay more taxes from the power used for charging. The system is a joke,” wrote a reader. “They preach to be eco-friendly, save resources, etc only to tax and charge you more if you do.”