Saskatchewan increases yearly electric vehicle road fee to $300
In a recent statement, SaskEV, a provincial lobbying association, has expressed frustration over the increase in the annual road-use charge on electric vehicles (EVs) in Saskatchewan. The charge, which was increased from $150 to $300 effective June 1, 2025, is collected by Saskatchewan Government Insurance.
According to SaskEV, the increased charge is not justified due to the low number of EVs in the province. Saskatchewan accounted for only 0.4% of overall EV sales in Q4 2024, with approximately 2,800 EVs registered in the province. In comparison, Alberta, another Canadian jurisdiction, introduced an EV-specific road-use charge with a $200 tax on EVs that started in January of this year.
Tyler Krause from SaskEV believes that an EV tax is not necessary yet to deal with road maintenance costs. He stated that the increase in the road-use charge is premature, given the low number of EVs on the roads in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan was the first Canadian jurisdiction to introduce an EV-specific road-use charge. The charge is intended to fund road projects and fix roads in the province, ensuring that EV owners pay their fair share to the province's infrastructure. However, it's important to note that EVs contribute to wear and tear on provincial roadways but do not contribute to highway maintenance through the provincial fuel tax.
The statement from Tyler Krause was made in response to the news about the increased EV road-use charge in Saskatchewan. The charge is meant to ensure that EV owners pay their fair share to the province's infrastructure, reflecting the need for maintenance and upkeep of the roads that EVs use.
In 2024, Saskatchewan saw 1,394 EV registrations, indicating a growing interest in electric vehicles. As the number of EVs in the province continues to increase, the debate over the fairness and necessity of the road-use charge is likely to continue.
