HB 1380 amends Indiana’s motor vehicle code to set and update supplemental registration fees for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. The bill keeps the existing structure of charging an additional fee on top of normal registration costs, with electric vehicles assessed a $150 supplemental fee and hybrid vehicles a $50 supplemental fee, both subject to annual adjustment using the state’s fee-indexing formulas. The bill also clarifies the definitions of electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle for purposes of the fee.
The measure directs that the supplemental fees be deposited into the local road and bridge matching grant fund, tying EV and hybrid registration fees to transportation infrastructure funding. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and continues Indiana’s policy of using vehicle registration surcharges on alternative-fuel vehicles to support road and bridge projects.
Impact
HB 1380 amends IC 9-18.1-5-12, affecting vehicle registration law for electric and hybrid vehicles in Indiana. It preserves and updates the supplemental fee schedule, requires annual recalculation of the fee amounts under existing indexing statutes, and continues the earmark of revenue to the local road and bridge matching grant fund. The bill primarily affects owners of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, as well as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles responsible for collecting and adjusting the fees.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad legislative support, passing the House 90-0 and the Senate 45-2. That voting pattern suggests general agreement on the policy of charging supplemental registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles and directing the revenue to transportation infrastructure. No committee transcript was provided, so the available record shows strong overall support with only limited opposition in the Senate.
Contention
The main point of contention is the policy choice to impose or continue higher registration costs on electric and hybrid vehicle owners, who may view the fees as discouraging cleaner vehicles or as unfair compared with gasoline-powered vehicles. Supporters are likely to argue that these vehicles still use roads and should contribute to road and bridge funding, especially as fuel-tax revenue declines. The near-unanimous votes indicate that any disagreement was limited, though the two Senate nays suggest some concern remained about the fee burden or its effect on EV adoption.
Drains: appeals; period to appeal apportionment or assessment costs on drain projects; modify. Amends secs. 72 & 72a of 1956 PA 40 (MCL 280.72 & 280.72a).