In an effort to fix Pennsylvania's decreasing gas tax revenue, a State Representative is looking to implement an electric vehicle fee.

6 News spoke with this State Rep. who says implementing this fee would help maintain Pennsylvania roads and bridges.

“Electric vehicle owners are no longer paying a gas tax," said Rep. Ed Neilson. "Pennsylvania collects a gas tax and that's what helps us maintain our roads and bridges so its important everyone pays their fair share.”

Representative Neilson says the House Transportation Committee came up with the idea to implement an electric vehicle fee in efforts to recoup Pa's gas tax revenue.

“So we have to look at different things and that's part of our duties as being on the Transportation Committee in both the House and the Senate," Neilson said. "That's part of what we have to do. This was the proposal we came up with, we thought was fair and it looks like it has a lot of steam, it looks like it has support from all different parts of the state and stakeholders and we think it's a fair proposal.”

However some people – especially owners of electric vehicles - may not agree.

“Some people believe that, you know, there glass half full half empty, some people believe they should not have to pay anything because their an electric vehicle and they don't believe they should have to pay because they are saving the environment or being environmentally conscious to go this direction however they still use roads and then some people think its going to put cars out of reach,” added Neilson.

Yet, Neilson tells 6 News most people do support this idea.

After all, he says electric vehicles are heavier than your average car, “That puts more wear and tear on our roads and bridges.”

And this could help pas gas tax revenue which Neilson says is already, “Down millions close to billions over the last few years. Everybody understands that, you know, no matter what vehicle you have, you need to make certain that your roads and bridges are maintained. If your roads and bridges aren't maintained it's not good for any vehicle whether it's an electric, gas or natural gas vehicle it doesn't matter we have to maintain the roadways.”

Neilson told Channel 6, this is the first step in the process of actually implementing an electric vehicle fee.

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