Release:

Drivers of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will see a new charge on their vehicle renewals starting Thursday, October 1.

Electric vehicle owners will pay a $500 levy in addition to their vehicle registration fee. Plug-in hybrid vehicle owners will pay $250. Vehicle permits are renewed every two years.

Gas hybrid vehicles will not be subject to the levy.

“Nova Scotians pay for construction and maintenance of our provincial roads and highways when they buy gas, through the tax included in the price. Electric vehicle owners don’t pay it, and plug-in hybrid owners pay less,” said John Lohr, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board. “This levy will ensure that all vehicle owners are helping to pay for the cost of building and maintaining the roads we all rely on.”

Part of the 2026-27 budget, the levy was approved in April, making Nova Scotia the fourth province to create a levy on electric vehicles. Saskatchewan has a $300 a year fee, while Alberta charges $200 a year and Quebec will begin charging $125 a year for electric vehicles in 2027.

The levy applies to passenger vehicles, light trucks and vans. It does not apply to vehicles used by municipalities, fire departments or police.

Quick Facts:
– HST is not applied to vehicle permit fees and will not be applied to the levy
– Registry of Motor Vehicles staff will ask for a declaration of the type of fuel a vehicle uses; staff can also look up the vehicle identification number, which includes this information
– vehicle owners who sell their vehicles partway through the two-year vehicle permit period can get a refund on part of the electric vehicle levy, as well as on their vehicle registration fee