Electric Vehicle Owners Face Added Fee Starting Sept. 1

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Kerr County motorists who own electric vehicles are being reminded that they will soon be expected to pay an additional fee when registering their vehicle.

              Senate Bill 545, which was passed by the 88th Texas Legislature’s regular session earlier this year, will add a $200 annual fee for electric vehicle registration renewals and a $400 fee at the time of new electric vehicle purchases for the initial two-year registration period, explained Kerr County Tax Assessor-Collector Bob Reeves.

              The new fee will be collected on electric vehicle registrations processed on or after Sept. 1, 2023, in addition to the standard vehicle registration fees and any tax due for the vehicle.

              Texans may renew their vehicle registration up to 90 days prior to expiration. The new fee will not apply to hybrid vehicles.

              Revenue collected from the fee will be deposited into the state highway fund to help pay for roadway construction and maintenance projects. The bill was adopted as a measure to ensure that electric vehicle owners also contribute their share to the expenses of Texas highway upkeep – something that previously was paid for primarily by gasoline taxes.

How to Renew Texas Vehicle Registration

              Texans have several options for renewing their vehicle registrations, Reeves said.

Texas by Texas (TxT) mobile app or website at https://www.texas.gov/texas-by-texas/

  • Mail – Registrations may be renewed through the regular postal service by remitting the renewal form and payment to: Kerr County Courthouse, Attn: Kerr County Tax Assessor-Collector, 700 Main Street, Suite 124, Kerrville, TX 78028.

  • In Person – Vehicle registration renewals and payments may be made in person at either the courthouse in Kerrville or at the West Kerr County Courthouse Annex, 510 College Street in Ingram.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for registering and titling motor vehicles, licensing motor vehicle dealers, credentials for motor carriers, issuing oversize/overweight permits, investigating complaints against dealers and motor carriers and awarding grants to law enforcement agencies to reduce vehicle burglaries and thefts.