Er, wouldn't this would penalize people who drive fuel-efficient cars as much as it would those who drive gas guzzlers?
D'oh. (Bonking self on head) Of course it would. Which would encourage people to say to heck with their fuel-efficent cars. Which would cause them to buy more gas. Which would increase gas tax revenues. Which would fill state coffers. I get it. They get drivers both ways.
What gave you the notion that Fuel taxes were anything other than a money grab? As we move towards renewables, there will be no other way to feed the monster than a mileage tax. It is a certainty.
Looks to me like they'll offer lower mileage rates to owners of fuel-efficient cars. And I'm guessing they'll get this into effect before the majority are even aware of it, thereby bypassing any massed resistance.
It's not going to be easy to stop/prevent this stuff.