[steve-b]

My Cherokee doesn't "use" the road any more than a Prius does

Heavy objects produce more wear and tear on the underlying surface than light objects. That's Physics 101.

[B Knotts]

Putting aside the fact that a Prius is only a few hundred pounds lighter than a Cherokee (due to battery weight), the fact is that heavier vehicles also use more fuel, and pay more fuel taxes.

So, it ought to work out fairly equitably, except for the fact that fuel taxes are being stolen and wasted on urban boondoggles like light rail.

[The Pack Knight]

Heavy objects produce more wear and tear on the underlying surface than light objects. That's Physics 101.

True, but the Grand Cherokee only weighs 25% more than the Prius (3614 lbs. vs. 2890 lbs.). Add to that 30% wider tires, which distributes the weight better, and, assuming both cars have fully inflated tires, my Cherokee may actually exert less contact pressure on the road. Even without figuring in tire width, while the Cherokee only weighs 25% more, it consumes 233% more gasoline on average. Now, you can say what you will about my inefficient fuel consumption, but that has nothing to do with my use of the road itself. The gas taxes I pay are wildly disproportionate with the road damage caused by my vehicle, when compared with the Prius. Call that Physics 202.