Kan. lawmakers consider new fee for electric cars

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas legislator is worrying about the state's flow of funds for highway projects and road maintenance if consumers flock to electric cars or hybrids because those vehicles use less gasoline, raising less gas taxes.

But Rep. Tom Sloan got a cool reception Tuesday during a House Energy and Utilities Committee hearing on his proposed solution. The Lawrence Republican's bill would create a new fee on the power electric car and hybrid owners use to charge up their vehicles.

The Kansas Department of Transportation would set the fee so that it would be equivalent to the state's 24-cent-a-gallon tax on gasoline. Owners of electric cars or hybrids would be required to have separate meters at their homes.

General Motors Co. opposes the idea, and committee members were openly skeptical.