The United States’ vast road network is critical to economic growth, mobility, and commerce. Maintaining and expanding this infrastructure requires consistent investment, yet the financial foundation supporting these efforts—the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF)—is under increasing strain. A primary concern is the evolving composition of vehicles on the road and the inequities in how they contribute to infrastructure funding.
The Disparity in Highway Trust Fund Contributions
Trucking plays an essential role in both commerce and infrastructure funding. Despite making up only four percent of the vehicles on the nation’s highways, the trucking industry contributes nearly half of the total HTF revenue. This investment supports not only routine maintenance but also crucial expansion projects that ensure efficient freight movement and safe travel for all motorists. Meanwhile, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly light-duty models, presents a challenge: these vehicles use the same roads yet currently contribute nothing to the HTF.
The HTF is primarily funded through federal fuel taxes—18.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.3 cents per gallon on diesel. However, rising fuel efficiency and the increasing adoption of non-gasoline-powered vehicles have led to declining revenues, while the cost of maintaining roads continues to rise due to inflation. Since 2008, over $275 billion has been transferred from the general fund to offset HTF shortfalls, an unsustainable solution that underscores the urgent need for a new funding mechanism.
The Fair SHARE Act: A Balanced Approach to Roadway Investment
To address this inequity, Senator Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota) have introduced the Fair SHARE Act. This legislation aims to ensure all road users contribute fairly to infrastructure funding by implementing a fee structure for light-duty electric vehicles that mirrors existing contributions from internal combustion vehicles.
The bill proposes two key measures:
- A one-time $1,000 fee on light-duty electric vehicles at the manufacturer level.
- A one-time fee of $550 per battery module for light-duty electric vehicles with a weight exceeding 1,000 pounds.
These amounts are calculated to approximate the lifetime fuel tax payments of a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle, helping to balance the funding gap without disproportionately burdening any one group.
A Necessary Step Toward Long-Term Sustainability
Ensuring adequate infrastructure funding is not just about fairness—it is about maintaining safe and efficient transportation for all. Current spending levels are estimated to cover only half of the nation’s total bridge and pavement maintenance needs, let alone future expansion to accommodate population and economic growth. Without sustainable funding mechanisms, critical projects may be delayed or abandoned, impacting road safety, increasing congestion, and hindering economic productivity.
The trucking industry, which already contributes significantly through fuel taxes, the heavy vehicle use tax, the tire tax, and the federal excise tax, has long advocated for a stable and equitable revenue model for the HTF. The Fair SHARE Act represents a pragmatic approach to ensuring that all vehicles contribute proportionally to the infrastructure they rely upon.
A Collective Responsibility
Investing in America’s transportation infrastructure is a shared responsibility. As electric vehicles continue to gain market share, it is essential that they contribute equitably to the system that enables their mobility. The Fair SHARE Act offers a reasonable and necessary solution to address this funding imbalance while supporting the long-term sustainability of the nation’s roadways. Policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the general public must work together to ensure the passage of legislation that maintains and modernizes our transportation network for generations to come.