[jsmay311]

Straight from the (gov't) source:

http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.17.323

RCW 46.17.323
Electric vehicle registration renewal fees.
(1) Before accepting an application for an annual vehicle registration renewal for a vehicle that both
(a) uses at least one method of propulsion that is capable of being reenergized by an external source of electricity and
(b) is capable of traveling at least thirty miles using only battery power,
the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director must require the applicant to pay a one hundred dollar fee in addition to any other fees and taxes required by law. The one hundred dollar fee is due only at the time of annual registration renewal.
(2) This section only applies to a vehicle that is designed to have the capability to drive at a speed of more than thirty-five miles per hour.

There's stuff all over the internets saying the Volt is exempt, but it appears that changed in 2016: http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread...-tax-exemptions-on-Volt&p=2618282#post2618282

 

[jsmay311]

Yep. Thirty miles or more in ev mode and you pay. Really sucks.

However, I also read in that WA recently expanded their EV sales tax exemption to include the Volt. They changed the rules to include PHEV/EREV's with 30+ mile range, and also raised the sales price cap from $35k to $42k (I guess this might come into play with a a well-optioned Volt without many discounts).

One article said the sales tax exemption is worth $2600-$3100, depending on the local sales tax rate. So taking these 2 changes together, I'd happily pay $150/year if it meant saving $3k up front.

 

[jsmay311]

I did benefit, however, from the sales tax exemption (up to I think $30k of sale price, and I paid sales tax on remaining $2k of the price). So I guess the annual $150 fee is covered by the $3200 I saved in sales tax for the next 21 years.

Exactly. Although that doesn't help anyone who bought a Volt before the sales tax exemption was expanded.

It was inevitable with gas prices down they would be looking for more sources of revenue.

Like many states, Washington's gasoline tax is a flat per-gallon amount and they don't charge (percentage-based) sales tax on it. So, if anything, a lower price of gas increases consumption and leads to higher gas tax revenues.