Letter to the editor: Government impeding electric vehicle progress to make money

I welcome letter-writer Doug Waldron’s comments (“Calculating electric car fees,” Dec. 28, TribLIVE) on my letter “Electric car fees? Fair is fair” (Dec. 4, TribLIVE). He points out that based on the average statistics I’m getting a bargain with the proposed annual $175 flat fee for an electric vehicle (EV) rather than my fact-based calculation of $47.15. Using his logic, why don’t we just charge everyone a flat fee based on the averages no matter if they drive 100 miles a month or 10,000 miles a month, or if they drive a car that gets 10 miles per gallon or one that gets 40 miles per gallon?

I bought an EV for its performance, handling and economy. My numbers were based on factual information, not averages. As an engineer, I will take facts over averages any day. I paid a premium for my car to get those things, and on top of that my car has saved hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide every month from our atmosphere. By buying an EV, I am also promoting their continued improvement and making them easier to use and better for future buyers. Shouldn’t these be considered in their impact calculation?

I stand by my original statement that I’m growing weary of our government always trying to impede a new idea just to make a buck.

Kenneth R. Nath

Saltsburg