I-85 Free Ride Ending: EV Drivers Face Tolls Starting Next Month

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers who’ve enjoyed free passage on I-85 will soon need to pay up like everyone else. Local officials announced that the toll exemption for EVs will end next month, with electric cars soon paying the same rates as gas-powered vehicles. This change marks a significant shift in how EV owners will budget for their daily commutes.

The policy reversal stems from government efforts to guarantee all drivers contribute equally to road maintenance and infrastructure costs. Officials pointed out that while EVs cause the same wear and tear on roads, they weren’t paying their share of upkeep costs through the toll system. The new approach aims to create what they call a more fair funding model.

EVs create the same road wear but weren’t contributing to upkeep through tolls, prompting a shift to equitable funding.

A recent regional poll found that 32% of EV owners would reconsider their routes once free tolls end. This change comes at an interesting time for the EV market, which shows 4.2% monthly sales growth but a 10.7% annual decline in new units. Meanwhile, used EV sales have jumped 32.1% compared to last year. The average transaction price for new EVs has fallen to $57,734, making them more accessible to mainstream buyers.

EV owners will use the same electronic toll collection systems as other drivers, with technology incorporating RFID tags and GPS tracking. These systems are part of a growing electronic toll collection market expected to reach $11.3 billion by 2025, with continued growth through 2034.

Some consumer advocacy groups have expressed concern that removing this incentive might slow EV adoption rates. They argue that the environmental benefits of electric vehicles should still be recognized through policies that encourage their use. Despite these concerns, EVs continue to demonstrate environmental benefits through improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The integration of AI and machine learning in these tolling systems will improve vehicle recognition capabilities when EVs begin using the toll lanes.

The toll changes will affect monthly budgets for EV owners who regularly use I-85. Automakers might adjust their incentive programs to help offset these new costs for electric car buyers.

For now, EV drivers should prepare for this change by considering how toll expenses will affect their driving costs starting next month.