“California, which relies on gas tax and other fuel tax revenues to support its roadway maintenance, is piloting the idea of a “road charge,” which would charge drivers based on the number of miles they drive rather than how much gas they purchase.”
That’s how they sell it.
But if they’re TRACKING, then ‘they’ will have FAR MORE capability than just adding up miles. Here’s just 5 that quickly come to mind:
1. Time of day / Day of week pricing
2. Specific road/highway pricing
3. Income-based pricing (as they’re now doing with electricity there)
4. Vehicle-based pricing (car cost more, pay more per mile)
5. Penalty pricing (drove when you were not supposed to, or exceeded your mileage ration)
Good luck Californians, you will need it!
In current society, most people voluntarily allow tracking all there movements and purchases, all the time.
You are correct about the power the tracking of vehicles gives the government.
So, will my 45 mpg smart car get the same tax per mile as an F-350 duelly?
Or, will they factor in vehicle weight and maybe size?
Gas tax sort of does that already, as the heavier vehicles generally get worse milage.
And of course by miles, not fuel, the pick up all the EVs.