Many states used to fund their infrastructure projects in part through gas taxes. Combine better fuel economy and electric cars and you sell less gas, meaning not as much tax revenue. How to deal with that problem?
One proposal that seems to be gaining in popularity would be to charge drivers by the mile instead of the gallon.
Other ideas that have been presented include taxing electricity from public vehicle charging stations.
Another is to tack charges onto door-to-door package deliveries.
States are now weighing whether to start making the programs mandatory.
The only mistake above is that they'll charge by the mile and the gallon. No way are states going to get rid of gas taxes.
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ReplyDeleteTheir revenue problem is legitimate, but do you expect any solution to be simple and transparent? As you say, if mileage is taxed, then the gas tax has to go away. It probably won't because fossil fuel users must be punished a little extra.
ReplyDeleteHow would they track mileage? Nobody is going to want to put a government tracker on their car.
Anonymous, when you comment on something I've written, I'll post it. Until then, no.
ReplyDeleteRandomizer, About the mileage, it would fairly easy to have the owners record the mileage every year when the car's license is renewed. OR to have smog checks annually with the mileage recorded.
ReplyDeleteGRIN, hope I didn't give anyone ideas on how to do it.
In Ohio, at least, the amount of gas taxes MUST be on every pump and it is broken down by county and state, and where it goes is also on the sticker.
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ReplyDeleteCalifornia could easily track mileage through the smog-check system. The tax would just be added to vehicle registration.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous (again), when you comment on something I've written, I'll post it. Until then, no.
ReplyDeleteI have a family member very proud of his Tesla. I've explained to him it's a solution that will not work to a problem we don't have, but don't confuse him with the facts. Also, I posted on Facebook a report from PoliceOne on the University of Michigan's annual review of this year's new police vehicles from all the major manufacturers. Tesla fielded a version of their car for patrol, and the review was vicious. Well my relative called it wrong they didn't test it accurately. I explained, for once, you're right. It gave the Tesla too much slack. Cops abuse vehicles, and we must be able to idle for hours and then drove for hours. In cold or heat, an EV's battery will die, and it's not an option to drive up with 5 gallons of electricity.
ReplyDeleteBTY Darren, please tell me you will be the hell out of the PDRK before Gruesome Newsom's dream of no cars is reality.
I retire in 2027, plan to gone NLT 2028.
ReplyDeleteRetire (depending on the financial situation) between January 2005 and January 2029. Las Vegas link up will happen!
ReplyDelete