- Associated Press - Tuesday, February 13, 2018

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Lawmakers are set to consider Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to add an annual fee on electric and hybrid cars in order to pay for highway maintenance.

The LePage administration’s proposed legislation would tack on a $250 fee for electric vehicles and a $150 fee for hybrids. The administration says owners of hybrids and electric vehicles pay less in gas taxes than other vehicle owners.

The bill is set for a Tuesday afternoon hearing.

Maine’s highway maintenance is underfunded by $60 million a year. But the fee wouldn’t eliminate the shortfall.

Natural Resources Council of Maine spokeswoman Judy Berk said most drivers of hybrid and electric vehicles would end up paying more gas tax than drivers of conventional cars. Berk said Maine should be encouraging cars that use less gas.

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