As more drivers turn to zero-emissions vehicles, which don’t have to pay anything at the pump, California’s gas tax could soon be a thing of the past.
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The state is exploring implementing a California Road Charge, which would replace the gas tax with a mileage-based user fee for drivers who use the roads. Essentially, charging by the mile instead of the tank.
California’s gas tax is currently about 59 cents per gallon, the country’s highest rate. It generates millions of dollars to fund road repairs across the state.
According to Caltrans, Californians with gas-powered vehicles pay about $300 a year in state gas taxes.
But with a rise in electric vehicles, lawmakers are worried it won’t generate enough money.
Caltrans officials launched a pilot program in Aug. 2024 to test the road charge system. It concluded in January. The results of the program are expected to be released later this year.
Gas tax revenue is set to fall
Motor fuel taxes are the largest source of transportation revenue for states, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers’ most recent report on state expenditures. But the money they bring in has fallen: Gas taxes raised 41% of transportation revenue in fiscal year 2016, compared with roughly 36% in fiscal year 2024, the group found.
We find this article amusing at the least and down right clown comedy.
The Democrats tried for well over 30 years to kill auto travel and car ownership. They failed. The failure was massive when compared to the money spent and the political effort they put into it.
The alternative autos aka EV’s are destroying the roads and freeways because of the weight of the vehicles. Not only that but the tires needed to make them safe are spinning off rubber that has (guess what) hydrocarbons.
We’ll quote the famous or is it infamous anti car State Senator S. Weiner: 26 April 2023 on KNX News Radio, the mass transit system is irrevocably broken. Guess that leaves it up to the car and truck drivers.
The costs of long term operation of EV’s is starting to show it is very expensive, so now Sacramento wants to charge a mileage tax? Gee all those perks for EV driving is starting to evaporate.
So much for fantasy land and not so cool Metro Link and the failed Orange County passenger rail.
Need more honest information? Contact Cars Are Basic.
Very simple just charge everyone with an EV $300.00 at registration time.