04/09/2026
Hello all,
Thank you to everyone who spoke out against the $400 biennial electric vehicle registration fee and public charging tax in S.831. Your advocacy made a difference—the Senate subcommittee removed these provisions in response to public input before advancing the bill.
Unfortunately, the House has since replaced the Senate language with its own version, which reinstates the $400 biennial EV tax. The bill is now headed to the House floor next week for debate and a vote. If it passes, the Senate will need to decide whether to accept these changes before the bill is sent to the Governor.
South Carolinians stopped this harmful tax before, and our voices will be just as important in the days ahead. If you're an EV driver, stakeholder, or concerned resident, please take a moment to contact your House member before Tuesday (4/14):
Visit www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php
Enter your address
Click on your South Carolina State Representative's name
Click "Send Message to Representative"
Enter your information and message, then click send
You can use or adapt the following talking points in your message:
I urge you to reject the $400 biennial electric vehicle tax when S.831 comes up on the floor. Instead, please support a more reasonable approach that ensures EV drivers pay their fair share without being penalized.
The proposed $400 tax is nearly triple the current rate and is indexed to inflation, unlike the regular gas tax.
This tax is punitive and unfair to EV drivers and risks double taxation alongside proposed federal EV fees.
This tax undermines South Carolina's leadership in EV manufacturing and makes it harder for residents to afford vehicles made in our state.
Many South Carolinians purchase EVs to save money on fuel and maintenance. This $400 tax makes it harder for families to realize those savings and discourages residents from making the switch during a time of high, volatile gas prices.
Share how this proposed tax would affect you or people you know.
You can also contact your senator by following the steps above and clicking on your South Carolina State Senator's name. Use the talking points above, and urge your senator to contest the $400 electric vehicle tax in S.831 if it returns from the House.
For additional context and resources, you can revisit the recording and materials shared during our February SCETNetwork meeting here. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] with any questions.
Thank you again for taking action. Your voice could shape the future of EV access and adoption in South Carolina.
This application allows you to find your Senators and Representatives for both the S.C. State Legislature and U.S. Congress who are currently serving.
