Vehicle Climate Fee

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Consultation has concluded

Addressing climate change is an important priority at the city. The City of Boulder has adopted aggressive climate and sustainability goals, including 100 percent renewable electricity and an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The city’s current revenue for climate programs is insufficient to meet these targets, especially in light of the urgency that is now known.

Staff has evaluated a number of revenue options, especially related to reducing transportation, which accounts for more than a quarter of our community's emissions. Based on that evaluation, council has directed staff to pursue the development of a proposed Vehicle Climate Fee, which includes gathering community feedback on a possible fee structure and uses.

The proposed fee amount would be added to the cost of car's annual registration and will be determined by the mile per gallon (MPG) of the vehicle. More efficient vehicles would pay a lower fee, and electric vehicles would be exempt. The fee is expected to be between $10 and $50 per vehicle each year.

Addressing climate change is an important priority at the city. The City of Boulder has adopted aggressive climate and sustainability goals, including 100 percent renewable electricity and an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The city’s current revenue for climate programs is insufficient to meet these targets, especially in light of the urgency that is now known.

Staff has evaluated a number of revenue options, especially related to reducing transportation, which accounts for more than a quarter of our community's emissions. Based on that evaluation, council has directed staff to pursue the development of a proposed Vehicle Climate Fee, which includes gathering community feedback on a possible fee structure and uses.

The proposed fee amount would be added to the cost of car's annual registration and will be determined by the mile per gallon (MPG) of the vehicle. More efficient vehicles would pay a lower fee, and electric vehicles would be exempt. The fee is expected to be between $10 and $50 per vehicle each year.

Consultation has concluded

We know the possibility of more fees or taxes can be worrying -- and confusing. We invite you to ask any questions you might have about this proposal here. We'll do our best to respond back within three business days.

  • Share What is the definition of a class b or class c vehicle? on Facebook Share What is the definition of a class b or class c vehicle? on Twitter Share What is the definition of a class b or class c vehicle? on Linkedin Email What is the definition of a class b or class c vehicle? link

    What is the definition of a class b or class c vehicle?

    Colt asked about 5 years ago

    Hello,

    The definition is of vehicle classes is set by Colorado state statute in order to identify taxable value of a vehicle. I hope the chart below is helpful in providing some definitions for you.

    More information and technical definitions can be found here and here.

  • Share Is there a way to make sure the hundreds and hundreds of cars not registered in CO, let alone Boulder, pay a fee? College kids don't appear to register their cars, but they seem to drive everywhere. on Facebook Share Is there a way to make sure the hundreds and hundreds of cars not registered in CO, let alone Boulder, pay a fee? College kids don't appear to register their cars, but they seem to drive everywhere. on Twitter Share Is there a way to make sure the hundreds and hundreds of cars not registered in CO, let alone Boulder, pay a fee? College kids don't appear to register their cars, but they seem to drive everywhere. on Linkedin Email Is there a way to make sure the hundreds and hundreds of cars not registered in CO, let alone Boulder, pay a fee? College kids don't appear to register their cars, but they seem to drive everywhere. link

    Is there a way to make sure the hundreds and hundreds of cars not registered in CO, let alone Boulder, pay a fee? College kids don't appear to register their cars, but they seem to drive everywhere.

    cdavison asked about 5 years ago

    Unfortunately, no. Cities only have jurisdiction over residents within that city, and therefore the vehicles that are registered within that city. Admittedly, this isn't perfect, but state law prohibits local jurisdictions from adopting a gasoline tax. And even if a local gasoline tax was possible, people could choose to drive to neighboring towns (that didn't have this tax) to fuel up their vehicles. Based on these constraints, this was the best option we could find to offset this impact and try to encourage clean vehicle purchases. City staff also continues to advocate for state wide legislation that would result in clean vehicle incentives and higher taxes and fees on fossil fuels across Colorado.

  • Share How will you ensure the higher fees are fairly applied? I feel like this could unfairly put the burden of higher fees on to renters who have little ability to charge an electric vehicle, either because their main panel isn't upgraded to accommodate a 220v outlet (which is an improvement only the property owner can decide to make) or they park on the street, or both. My 1960s era apartment just got wall insulation in 2018. I doubt my property owner is going to upgrade outlets any time soon. I would consider an electric vehicle if I could charge it at home but I simply don't have the option. I would not support this until there are more options for renters. on Facebook Share How will you ensure the higher fees are fairly applied? I feel like this could unfairly put the burden of higher fees on to renters who have little ability to charge an electric vehicle, either because their main panel isn't upgraded to accommodate a 220v outlet (which is an improvement only the property owner can decide to make) or they park on the street, or both. My 1960s era apartment just got wall insulation in 2018. I doubt my property owner is going to upgrade outlets any time soon. I would consider an electric vehicle if I could charge it at home but I simply don't have the option. I would not support this until there are more options for renters. on Twitter Share How will you ensure the higher fees are fairly applied? I feel like this could unfairly put the burden of higher fees on to renters who have little ability to charge an electric vehicle, either because their main panel isn't upgraded to accommodate a 220v outlet (which is an improvement only the property owner can decide to make) or they park on the street, or both. My 1960s era apartment just got wall insulation in 2018. I doubt my property owner is going to upgrade outlets any time soon. I would consider an electric vehicle if I could charge it at home but I simply don't have the option. I would not support this until there are more options for renters. on Linkedin Email How will you ensure the higher fees are fairly applied? I feel like this could unfairly put the burden of higher fees on to renters who have little ability to charge an electric vehicle, either because their main panel isn't upgraded to accommodate a 220v outlet (which is an improvement only the property owner can decide to make) or they park on the street, or both. My 1960s era apartment just got wall insulation in 2018. I doubt my property owner is going to upgrade outlets any time soon. I would consider an electric vehicle if I could charge it at home but I simply don't have the option. I would not support this until there are more options for renters. link

    How will you ensure the higher fees are fairly applied? I feel like this could unfairly put the burden of higher fees on to renters who have little ability to charge an electric vehicle, either because their main panel isn't upgraded to accommodate a 220v outlet (which is an improvement only the property owner can decide to make) or they park on the street, or both. My 1960s era apartment just got wall insulation in 2018. I doubt my property owner is going to upgrade outlets any time soon. I would consider an electric vehicle if I could charge it at home but I simply don't have the option. I would not support this until there are more options for renters.

    Dan Hammond asked about 5 years ago

    This is a great point - I own a condo in Boulder and face the same challenge. I'm currently working with my HOA to offer shared EV charging, but in the meantime, I plan to purchase a PHEV as my next vehicle, and use the public charging stations around town (knowing I will have the gasoline backup if I can't charge at home). The city currently offers help to renters/property owners/and HOAs if your property owner is interested in providing this, and there are even grants available for the charging stations.

    We plan to address this within the fee by basing the fee amount on the MPG of the vehicle. So even if you can't drive an EV because of charging access issues, the fee will be much lower if you drive a PHEV, or hybrid or fuel efficient vehicle. We will also offer an exemption for residents who can prove they drive very low mileage (~<4,000 miles/year, details still being worked out).

    The revenue generated will be used to, in part, to offer more publicly available charging stations, and to provide charging stations at multi-family housing units for renters to address this barrier that you've highlighted here.

    Please do reach out if you have a property owner or employer that is open to providing EV charging at your home or business, and the city can help them with accessing grants to provide this!