Until recently, buying an electric or hybrid car in the United States seemed like a sound financial decision: massive savings on gasoline, lower maintenance costs, and juicy government tax incentives. However, the rules of the game are changing.

A new bipartisan bill advancing strongly in Congress aims to impose, for the first time, an annual federal fee on all owners of these vehicles.

This is the "BUILD America 250 Act," an ambitious $580 billion proposal for funding roads and infrastructure over the next five years.

The bill was formally introduced this week by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, led by Republican Sam Graves and Democrat Rick Larsen.

Its goal is clear: that it be approved and ready before September 30 of this year.

If you drive an eco-friendly car or are thinking of buying one to save money, here is what you should know about how it will impact your finances.

The overall transportation picture: The "BUILD America 250 Act" does not only affect private cars. It is a massive $580 billion package that includes $376 billion for federal highways, $87.6 billion for public transportation, and $64.7 billion for the rail sector (including funds for Amtrak).

How much would electric car owners have to pay?

The proposal outlines a system of annual federal road usage fees that would be collected through each state's vehicle registration offices.

The initial figures stipulated are:

• 100% electric vehicles (EVs) would pay a base fee of $130 per year.
• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs): would pay $35 per year.

Watch out for the increases: this fee will not remain frozen. The project contemplates that, starting in 2029, the Federal Highway Administration will increase both rates by $5 every two years. The increase will stop when electric cars reach a cap of $150 per year and plug-in hybrids reach $50 per year.

The "double tax": the real blow to the wallet

Although $130 a year may not seem like an alarming figure, the real problem for drivers is the accumulation of charges.

Currently, the vast majority of states in the US already charge their own annual tax on electric cars. These range from $50 to over $200 depending on the region, to compensate their own local budgets.

If the federal law is approved, a driver in a high-fee state could end up paying more than $350 annually just for registration and special taxes simply for not using gasoline.

Why does the government want to charge electric cars?

The explanation behind this measure is purely mathematical. Traditionally, the maintenance of highways, bridges, and public transportation in the US is financed through the Highway Trust Fund (Highway Trust Fund), which is directly funded by the federal gasoline tax, which has not changed since 1993.

Since electric cars do not consume fuel, and hybrids consume very little, these drivers use public roads without contributing to the maintenance fund.

With the rapid growth of the electric car market, federal revenues from gasoline sales have plummeted, creating a million-dollar deficit.

The proponents of the law argue that this is a measure of tax justice: all those who damage and use the roads must pay their fair share.

Projection and destination: The revenue from this new vehicle tax will generate just under $10 billion in its first 5 years, and is projected to reach $29 billion within 10 years, with the money being entirely allocated to rescue the Highway Trust Fund.

A heated debate: Is the green transition being slowed?

Despite the project enjoying unusual bipartisan support, it has already sparked strong controversy and resistance among environmental groups.

Many organizations denounce that implementing this federal tax is, in practice, a "punishment" or penalty for families that made an economic effort to switch from traditional vehicles to clean alternatives.

Furthermore, the bill is controversial because it aims to eliminate funding from previous programs aimed at reducing carbon emissions and alternative aviation technologies.

Is it still profitable to buy an electric car?

If you are considering changing your car, the short answer is yes, it is still profitable, but the margin of savings is shrinking.

The annual electricity cost for charging a vehicle remains notably lower than filling gas tanks at current prices.

However, when calculating your budget, you should no longer look only at the sale price or the cost of electricity; now it is essential to add your state's annual tax plus the future $130 federal dollars if this project becomes law in the coming months.

The car of the future continues on its electric path, but its tax and regulatory ecosystem is no longer a tax-free zone, becoming a more regulated liability.

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