Drivers could soon pay per mile to use public roadways in Washington

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Lawmakers in Olympia are considering a pay-per-mile program that would eventually replace Washington state's gas tax.

As part of House Bill 1832, a Road Usage Charge (RUC) program would charge drivers 2.5 cents per mile. According to the legislation, drivers of hybrid or electric cars could voluntarily participate in the program starting in July 2026. In the process, electric car owners would qualify for refunds on licensing fees, which can cost up to $275 a year.

In 2030, the RUC would become mandatory for all Washington drivers, regardless of if a car is electric or powered by gas.

If approved, the state could only charge drivers for travel on interstates, state highways and other city and county maintained roads. Travel on private roads would not be included.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/drivers-could-soon-pay-per-mile-to-use-public-roadways-in-washington/ar-AA17RjQH

How are they going to keep track of one's mileage?

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. Brings up a good point though, if we go electric as we should, how do you raise

taxes for highways that is based on using them?

[nilram]

2. Semi tractor-trailer rigs produce a lot more wear

than passenger vehicles. Perfect time to start taxing them accordingly.

[House of Roberts]

3. Gross vehicle weight should be factored into the tax.

My 3200 lb. Ranger shouldn't pay the same as a Hummer.

[Salviati]

4. A flat per mile charge is a subsidy for SUV's, Trucks, and other extra heavy vehicles

(including heavy electric cars.)

Road wear is typically given as increasing as axle weight to the 4th power. That means a Toyota Tacoma, that has a weight of about 4500 lbs will cause about 3.3x as much wear as a 3300 lb Honda Civic. A 5800 lb Tundra will cause nearly 10x as much wear.

A 4800 lb Kia EV6 will cause about 4.5x as much wear.

I don't think that if we do go to a per mile fee, that it should be entirely proportional to the road wear caused by the car. There are flat benifits that drivers enjoy as a result of the road system, but I do think that there should be some factor in place to make those who cause the most wear on the roads pay more than those who use the roads more lightly.

[MichMan]

5. GPS tracking device in every car

I imagine law enforcement authorities would have access to the data with a warrant.

[GP6971]

6. And that's the rub.

People will object to being tracked.

[MichMan]

7. Yet, they don't go anywhere without a smart phone

Same effect

[GP6971]

8. I don't think most people

realize that. Especially our teenage grand kids.