A commentary about electric-car drivers, written by Peter Murray and published April 23, caught my attention.

Murray is of the opinion that elected officials both state and federal have proclaimed their support of electric vehicle charging stations nationwide. I understand his concern: He has an electric car and he can’t go from point A to point B without a charging station en route.

He goes on to say that federal dollars should pay for charging stations all over the country so traveling motorists will not run out of juice. First of all, why should taxpayers foot the bill for installing all the thousands of electric-vehicle stations in the country? And he goes on to say that the state of Maine should use the Volkswagen $6 million to do that for EV drivers.

Not everyone needs or wants an electric car. If the need for EV stations is there, let the private sector build them, not the state or federal government. Please understand this: The tax on gas sales in this country goes to support the roads and bridges for everyone. Electric car drivers pay no gas tax to drive on the highways they use.

Here’s what I propose: The states and the federal government should impose a cost per mile on all electric vehicles, payable when you register your car. The time to do this is now.

Norman Baker
Shapleigh