Electric car owners are in a fight with the state against a proposed fee for owners of charging stations.

The fee would be $50 per year per unit, but environmental groups say more expenses would lead to less charging stations, and in turn, less electric cars.

With the numbers of charging stations increasing in southwestern Connecticut, the worry is that the electric growth would halt as businesses may question the need to pay more taxes as a part of the investment.

The proposal comes amid a state budget issue, and more electric cars have meant less gas tax money to pay for roads.

The bill would not force a fee on those who own charging stations at their homes, and would also allow cheaper rates at stations overnight.