Edmonton, Alberta – According to the provincial government, Albertans who drive electric vehicles will have to pay a $200 annual registration fee later this year.
The legislation, which falls under Bill 32 of the province’s budget report, is expected to come into effect in early 2025.
The $200 fee, when it comes into effect, is in comparison to the $93 that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle drivers pay.
With this new fee on the horizon, Alberta has become the second province to charge drivers for EVs in the country, following Saskatchewan’s appointment of the rule in 2021.
The Albertan government indicated that the new fee is necessary because electric vehicle drivers don’t have to pay the same fuel tax used to fund highway maintenance in the province.
The government also claims that EVs are harder on roads because the vehicles are heavier than their ICE alternatives.
Previous reports indicated this fee was due to come into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, but this has since been disputed.
