That's a plug-in hybrid, or PHEV. My comment was respective to hybrid EVs, or HEVs. The PHEV issue does complicate things for sure but it's not that difficult to write good legislation if you know the difference.
They've been doing this for a couple years by adding $100 to the car tab fee. It's poor legislation because it charges the same fee for PHEVs too. This is not fair to the person that does 50% of their driving on gas. They are being double-taxed.
WA state nixed the per mile plan. It was considered unfair and too confusing for people that lived on the border and drove to work in another state like OR or ID. Instead they charge a fixed rate excise tax for PHEVs and BEVs.
This is happening here too. It seems like this approach might be unfair to people that don't drive on state highways and roads very much if at all. All our local maintenance is done by the county. Our state Transportation Commission is expected to vote on this topic late this year. Can't say it's going to be popular. At 2.4 cents per mile it would cost us much more than the current $100 electric car tax. And more on our second vehicle too.
They are having an impact, albeit a minor one presently. Eventually, most cars on the road will be electric, planners have to think long term. Road project bonds are often 15-25 yr. so they need a steady income for longterm payment. Maintenance includes much more than just road surface wear. Bridge maintenance is a major cost and so is snow removal in many areas. Snow removal causes potholes which need fixing. New exit/entrances onto highways are expensive as is landslide and rockslide protection. Flooding can undermine roads and need repair as well. Then there is signage, shoulder and brush clearing etc..
They are having an impact, albeit a minor one presently. Eventually, most cars on the road will be electric, planners have to think long term. Road project bonds are often 15-25 yr. so they need a steady income for longterm payment. Maintenance includes much more than just road surface wear. Bridge maintenance is a major cost and so is snow removal in many areas. Snow removal causes potholes which need fixing. New exit/entrances onto highways are expensive as is landslide and rockslide protection. Flooding can undermine roads and need repair as well. Then there is signage, shoulder and brush clearing etc..
And then there is the impact from all vehicles that no one talks about
Tires: The plastic polluter you never thought about
Because tires are made of natural rubber and plastic, it’s easy to miss just how much they contribute to pollution in our oceans.www.nationalgeographic.com
