Posted on 03/09/2015 9:39:57 AM PDT by nascarnation
With EVs and other fuel-efficient vehicles saving consumers money at the pump, Oregon will be the first to issue a per-mile road tax to refill its coffers.
Automotive News reports the state will offer two options to its motorists: pay at the pump, or pay a 1.5-cent rate per mile traversed. The latter will be conducted through a device that plugs into a vehicle’s OBD port, then gathers mileage data to determine how much the motorist will pay in tax.
Right now, the program — set to begin July 1 — will be implemented by the Oregon DOT in partnership with Sanef ITS Technologies America and Intelligent Mechatronic Systems, the latter supplying the aforementioned OBD mileage reader.
Up to 5,000 volunteers will participate in the initial program, which will compare the tax paid at the pump to the miles driven. The results will be turned over to ODOT, which will then determine if a motorist is given a refund or an invoice based on said findings.
Oregon won’t be the only one to undergo a road tax program: over 10 other states are either in the process of passing legislation or conducting trials for such programs.
I see a new revenue stream!!!!
Another reason to avoid traveling to or in Oregon.
So it begins.
So Oregon will be removing their state portion of the gasoline tax?
I thought not. Some drivers are going to be taxed twice.
What about gas for off road use like tractors, lawnmowers, blowers, etc? Tough, I guess.
Once they get enough electronics on those engines to make it feasible, the state will be glad to monitor them also, I’d guess.
You got it. How is pay by mile or at the pump going to work? Programmable gas pumps?
Will the People’s Republic of Oregon start taxing shoe soles next? A wi-fi pedometer that automatically deducts from your bank account the tax for every foot walked.
Or if you drive out of state? Oregon wants to tax your miles driven in other states.
If you are given an option, who is ever going to choose this one?
All NEW “ tractors, lawnmowers, blowers” sold In Oregon will be equipped with a set of long distance bluetooth gauges...to collect USAGE data,,,,
Who would want to volunteer for such a thing?
Phase II of this tax will be to erect a fence on the state line. kinda like the Berlin Wall? ID, WA, CA beware of the influx of people and related businesses.
This is not going to be used for road maintenance. Every Tom, Dick and Harry is going to want to get a cut of this thing. For the children.
The way gas pumps work, there’s no option to buy gas without the gas tax because you pay a mileage tax instead. Maybe I’m missing something. Sounds like a bureaucratic headache to administer this.
Eventually we will all pay the mileage tax plus still pay the gas tax. This is camels nose in the tent here.
People will willingly put on their chains I see.
Sounds reasonable... "you didn't build that" sidewalk, right? /sar
Perhaps some Oregon based FReepers can answer your question.
In general a user tax is fairer than other type of taxes. The problem is the amount of taxation, not how the tax is assessed. It’s the spending stupid.
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