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    Road User Charge for Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

    Overview

    In 2024, Act 85 (later amended by Act 149) was passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro, setting the Commonwealth on a path to modernize how electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) owners support road and bridge maintenance. Starting April 1, 2025, Pennsylvania will begin to charge EV and PHEV owners a yearly Road User Charge (RUC). 

    If you drive a gas-powered car, you already help pay to maintain Pennsylvania’s road and bridge network through gas taxes. The new law creates a fair way for all drivers to help maintain Pennsylvania’s transportation network, ensuring that EV and PHEV owners who pay no or very little gas tax are also contributing to Pennsylvania’s Motor License Fund for highway and bridge maintenance. 

    If you own an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, here’s what you need to know:

    • If your registration expires after May 2025, you’ll need to pay the new fee.
    • PennDOT will send you a form with the payment details.

    Definitions

    Electric Vehicle (EV) - A motor vehicle that delivers power to its drive wheel or wheels solely by use of a battery-powered electric motor.

    Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) - A motor vehicle that can deliver power to the drive wheels solely by a battery-powered electric motor, but which also incorporates the use of another fuel to power a combustion engine. the battery of the vehicle must be capable of receiving energy from an external source, such as an outlet or charging station.

    How much are the fees and how do I pay them?

    If opting for a two-year registration, you will pay the two-year fee amount.

    YearEVsPHEVs (25% of the RUC Fee)
    2025One year: $200
    Two year: $400     		One year: $50
    Two year: $100 
    2026One year: $250
    Two year: $500     		One year: $63
    Two year: $126 
    Each Jan. 1 thereafterTied to consumer price index (CPI)25% of EV fee, rounded to the next dollar 

    PennDOT will start collecting the RUC on April 1, 2025. 

    Initially, this fee will be paid separately from your vehicle registration payment. EV and PHEV owners will receive a notice by mail and must submit a check or money order to pay the fee within 30 days of the notice.  EV or PHEV vehicle owners must pay the RUC fee in order to renew their vehicle registration the following cycle.  

    PennDOT is working on a new system that will allow EV and PHEV owners to pay RUC fee through an online system by August 2025.

    Starting in July 2026, EV and PHEV owners can opt for a monthly payment plan. 

    Starting in 2027, PennDOT will adjust the fee each year based on the previous year’s charge and the change in the consumer price index.

    Does this replace the alternative fuels tax? 

    Yes, for EV and PHEV owners of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 or below. Prior to Act 85, the law required all EV and PHEV owners to pay the Alternative Fuels Tax.

    Act 85 significantly reduces the burden on EV and PHEV owners and eliminates the need for detailed tracking of electricity use, manual calculation of the alternative fuels tax based on fluctuating rates, and a complex reporting system.

    Why do we need a Road User Charge for these vehicles? 

    Pennsylvania's roads and bridges are mostly paid for by federal and state gas taxes. Electric vehicles don’t use gas, which means they don’t contribute to the gas tax.  PHEV vehicles use very little gas and therefore are not contributing as much as vehicles operating on gas to the maintenance of roads and bridges. 

    This fee makes sure every driver pays their fair share to help maintain roads and bridges no matter what kind of car they drive.

    This change was made by Acts 85 and 149 of 2024 to help fund Pennsylvania’s highways, bridges, and transportation systems, ensuring they stay safe and reliable for all drivers.

    Which electric vehicles aren’t subject to the new fee? 

    While most electric and plug-in hybrid cars will need to pay the RUC when registering, some electric vehicles are exempt: 

    • Golf carts. 
    • Electric motorcycles. 
    • Vehicles from 1990 or older. 
    • Certain government vehicles. 

    Have Questions?

    For more details, contact PennDOT.