Alberta’s 2024 provincial budget has introduced a $200 annual tax on electric vehicles (EVs). Set to take effect in January 2025, the tax is aimed at addressing the perceived imbalance in road maintenance funding.
The rationale behind this tax, as outlined by Finance Minister Nate Horner, is twofold. First, the government says EVs tend to be heavier than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, which in turn they say causes more significant wear and tear on provincial roadways. Secondly, since EV owners do not pay fuel taxes—a primary source of road maintenance funding—the new tax is seen as their contribution to the upkeep of roads and the support of other public services.
The province expects this tax to generate incremental revenue, starting with $1 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year, and increasing to $5 million and $8 million in the subsequent two years.
The introduction of the EV tax aligns Alberta with other jurisdictions, such as Saskatchewan in Canada and various states in the US, that have implemented similar charges. However, it diverges from broader national and global efforts to promote EV adoption.
Critics argue that the tax simplistically equates EVs with heavier gasoline-powered trucks without adequately considering the actual impact on roads or the environmental benefits of electric vehicles. In a series of posts on X, University of Calgary economics professor Blake Shaffer suggests that a more equitable approach would involve adjusting registration fees for all vehicles, not just EVs, based on weight and annual kilometers driven to more accurately reflect their road usage and wear.
This policy unfolds against the backdrop of Canada’s broader ambition to have all new vehicles sold by 2035 be zero-emission vehicles, highlighting the differences between provincial fiscal strategies and national environmental goals. The lack of an EV purchasing incentive in Alberta, contrasted with the federal government’s offer of up to $5,000 for light-duty zero-emission vehicles, further highlights the province’s unique stance within Canada’s evolving transition to a greener future.
