Chevron Corporation (CVX), BP plc (ADR) (BP): How Much Are You Taxed at the Pump?

Problem is, states depend on people buying gas — and paying gas taxes — to fund their highway and other transportation programs. As a result, there’s been a movement among several states to switch from charging flat-rate gas taxes, to taxes charged as a percentage of purchase price. California is one state that’s begun basing gas taxes partially on retail price. Vermont’s another. Maryland is the most recent convert — beginning in July, the state will begin calculating part of its gas tax as a percentage of retail price.

And yet … as already shown, these higher taxes have an effect on consumer behavior. One behavior of particular note is that we’re seeing all-electric and hybrid gas-electric cars gain some popularity. Nissan, for example, recently passed 25,000 U.S. sales of its Leaf all-electric car. Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) sold 4,900 Model S all-electric sedans in Q1.

Electrics will save the world! Hurray!
Good news? Not if you’re a Virginian “revenooer,” it isn’t. That’s why. in this current legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly passed a law that not only replaces its flat $0.18 gas tax with a retail price-based 3.5% tax (that shoots up to 6% for diesel) — but also institutes a new tax on electric cars.

Aiming to curb climbing rates of electric car use, Virginia is imposing a $64 “annual registration fee on hybrid electric motor vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, and electric motor vehicles.”

The moral of the story: There’s no escaping rising gas taxes … even if you don’t use gasoline at all.

The article How Much Are You Taxed at the Pump? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Rich Smith.

Fool contributor Rich Smith has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Chevron and Tesla Motors (NASDAQ:TSLA). The Motley Fool owns shares of Tesla Motors.

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