STATE SENATOR STATES THE NMDOT SHOULD FIND WAY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO HELP PAY FOR NM ROADS
SANTA FE (KSMX)- Safe New Mexico roads drive economic development in the state and all motorist who use them, including those driving electric vehicles, should help pay for their construction and maintenance. That is what State Senator Pat Woods said at the Legislature’s Transportation committee meeting today. Senator Woods said the state’s gasoline tax helps to fund the building and maintenance of roads in the state and that motorists driving electric vehicles in New Mexico don’t pay their share to use the roads because they don’t pay the gasoline tax.
“It is an advantage to all New Mexicans to have a safe, good road system. It is what drives our economy,” Senator Woods said. “But electric vehicles don’t participate in supporting our roads yet they put wear and tear on them like conventional vehicles that do pay. Electric vehicles have an unfair advantage.”
Senator Woods said the legislature needs to look into ways electric vehicles could pay their fair share. Options could include a distance and weight charge that large commercial trucks use. Today, the Transportation committee is receiving an update on if and how to establish a road mileage-based user fee system.
New Mexico State Senator Pat Woods of Broadview has served in the New Mexico Senate since 2013. He represents District 7 which includes the following counties Curry, Quay, and Union Counties. Senator Woods, a Republican, serves on the Senate Corporations and Transportation and Senate Conservation where he is the Ranking Member.