A survey of Americans across the board shows many are willing to take a ten-cent hike in the federal fuel tax. Others think that ditching the gas tax in favor of a “fee per mile” would be better. As an RVer, would you rather pay more for fuel tax or pay a mileage fee? Before you get the chance to answer, there are a few things to know.
Respondents concerned about how taxes used
For 15 years, San José State University’s Mineta Transportation Institute has queried Americans about fuel tax hikes and pay-by-the-mile plans. How people responded to this year’s survey was a definite, “It depends.”
In the multiple-choice survey, respondents were asked if they’d give the OK to jumping the current federal fuel tax by 10 cents to 28 cents per gallon. Their answers could be based on six different ways the revenue would be spent.
- Transportation in general
- Reduce local air pollution caused by transportation
- Reduce transport system’s contribution to global warming
- Maintain streets, roads, and highways
- Reduce accidents and improve safety
- Reduce traffic congestion
If revenue were to be spent “on transportation in general,” only 35% said they’d be willing to take a tax hike. But if maintaining roads, reducing crashes, or improving safety were the end uses, then more than 70% said fine, jack up the tax rate. As to using fuel tax revenue for the environment? The support dropped to 60%.
Pay more for fuel tax or pay mileage fee?
What about abolishing the federal gas tax and charging a per-mile tax. A 3-cent-per-mile fee was the suggested rate. A rousing 39% support vote was shown, if it applied to all vehicles on the road. But 50% said they’d go for a variable rate, one that averaged 3 cents. Averaged? Yes, those vehicles that polluted less would pay less; rigs that polluted more would pay more.
Then there was the “combination” scenario. In this offering, respondents were asked about tacking on a per-mile fee, in addition to per-gallon taxes. If the combination tax applied to commercial vehicles, then 60% said they were fine with charging such rigs the extra fee. 53% of responders said such combination fee and fuel tax should apply to ride-sharing cars like Uber, or taxi services.
Tesla supporters and their like get no breaks. Almost half of survey responders said electric vehicles should pay the same rate on mileage-based fees as folks who drive petrol-powered rigs.
When would you pay?
And if a per-mile fee were to be the way to pay, how would respondents like to pay? Almost half said fees should be paid whenever they hit a fuel pump or charging station. A third wanted to be billed monthly, and close to 20% said they’d like to pay once a year.
The Federal Highway Administration says the average driver clocks 13,000 miles on the road each year. However, of those taking the survey, two-thirds said they drove 7,500 miles or less last year, some not driving any miles at all.
What about you?
##RVT1159b
Fuel tax puts all burden on those using traditional fuels and lets EV owners off the hook for paying for the infrastructure they use too.
By mile fee puts burden on all.
2 things to consider:
If want to keep tax: then there would have to be a corresponding per watt recharge tax for EVs
If go with per mile fee: infrastructure damage depends on vehicle weight so a fee that compensates for that would be advisable
Gas tax for ICE vehicles, mileage tax for EVs! Sorry Hybrids, you get both!
Per mile fees are too easy to get around; i.e., multiple vehicle owners, Altering odometers, (I know it’s illegal – but!), gas powered lawn and farm equipment as well as industrial fuel uses which don’t have mileage to calculate. Further, the fuel tax per gallon would not disappear and if it did it would only be temporary! The Gov’t does not eliminate taxes…..
Electric users should be charged a “charging tax” to build or provide the incredible infrastructure for their sole use. Billions! Not a homeowner or other than auto use responsibility! Not indifferent from fuel or gas user’s. Dealing with gov’t taxes is a slippery slope. Too much abuse and wasteful spending.
Sooner or later, gasoline and diesel oil burning cars won’t be available. Hydrogen is coming (been in the works for about 20 years). And the discovery of a huge in-ground cache in France is going to speed this. Electric will still be an option, but willing to bet on hydrogen/electric hybrid. Might as well figure out how to maintain roads now.
My father taught me to drive & he had a heavy hand. Any “jackrabbit” starts, or any time my foot went from the accelerator immediately to the brake I’d get clocked in the head. Best mpg is obtained at 50-55 mph. Always drive 2-3 cars ahead- when their brake lights flash- lift your foot. Same thing if a stop sign or red light is ahead- lift your foot. Why blow gasoline through your exhaust to rush up to a mandatory stop? Careful driving results in fuel savings. We drive so as to maximize fuel efficiency. Lousy drivers get to pay more We drive 42,000 miles a year before we hitch up the travel trailer.DH agrees with fuel tax over turning all roads into toll roads.
Every form of tax has advantages and disadvantages. You won’t find a perfect way to pay for roads. IF electric vehicles become common, gas taxes won’t be fair anymore, so they must be replaced. Also, what about hybrid vehicles? Do they tear up roads less than pure ICE vehicles? Why should they pay less to maintain our roads?
Per mile fee? How would that work? Would I have to go to a gov’t agency every month to have them look at the odometer? NUTS! on that!
If your state has a mandatory state vehicle or emission inspection, that info is automatically recorded. You would pay each year, just like your income tax.
Some states don’t have this. It’s not going to be a fair deal for many. Especially those who are homeless and have to move around due to high RV rents (many are going up as high as getting a studio/1 bedroom.) More and more of us seniors cannot afford a bricks and sticks and now putting on more miles trying to be safe and find a place.
Florida got rid of vehicle inspection decades ago because of not being effective and cost, and we do not have State Income Tax. Florida would have to set up another costly agency just to check the over 19 million registered vehicles in Florida. The newer vehicles have also become more efficient and reliable. Sounds more costly than smart.
The federal mileage tax should apply to all vehicles equally. The problem is how would this tax be fairly distributed between states? Northern states have different weather conditions than southern states, snow and ice contribute to more maintenance and higher costs. How would the taxing bodies know how many miles were driven in what states?
I live in Pennsylvania and the roads in the eastern parts of the state are maintained much better than the western part, even though the eastern areas do not get the same bad weather conditions.
Plus and EV weighs significantly more the an ICE vehicle or hybrid of the same size.This contributes to more road wear and damage.
The Northeast Pa roads are terrible, now they’re doing jerry rig patching and tar and chipping. If you window gets chipped, they’re not responsible.
I was basically talking about the Southeastern quadrant. Harrisburg and Philly areas. Yes the northeastern area is also bad. Strange when you cross into NY there is a big difference. I live in the Pgh, area and driving here is like playing a pinball machine trying to avoid the potholes. Driving into WV or Ohio is a completely different experience.
I think Penndot purposely plants pothole seeds into the asphalt. 3 months after paving the holes appear.
Also, Penndot has to give hundred millions of dollars to the turnpike commission each year to subsidize a road being paid for with tolls.
Hundreds of millions??? now THAT is criminal.
I would much rather have the fuel tax for two reasons.
First, MPG is variable, depending on how I drive. If I paid per mile, I would drive faster because my trips would take less time. Slower takes longer but saves me money. And who wants a crazy old lady like me speeding around?
Second, who’s going to be monitoring how many miles I drive? Some government agency, most likely. We don’t need more government in our private lives.
As for the EV drivers not contributing, right now there aren’t very many of them. And since they do have to pay for charging their cars, they could always put a tax on that.
Here’s an alternate solution, and many will probably call me a crackpot, but here goes – How about we elect folks that will spend our tax dollars RESPONSIBLY! We pay enough taxes already – some say too much, whatever, but if we can get rid of those Bozo’s both statewide and in Washington that keep building bridges to nowhere, multi-million dollars to their relatives to perform studies on “How frogs fall in love,” turtle tunnels, interstate highways 50 miles out of the way to somehow go over their family-owned property, etc, etc, etc! And YES – YOUR favorite elected official IS as crooked as mine! We’ve had enough of their crap and it’s about time they’re made to fear us!
Thank you. You saved me a lot of typing!
With gerrymandering and redistricting, the incumbent is always favored to win regardless of popular vote. Look at the choices the RNC and DNC offer for the presidency. If the two “favorites” are truly the most competent and qualified out of the millions of Americans, we’re broken…..
You don’t mention anything about diesel. The current tax on gas is $.18/gal, but $.24/gal on diesel. I don’t know if the same $.10/gal is being proposed for diesel as well as gas. Assuming it is, a diesel owner driving 15M miles/year & getting 11 mpg would pay an additional $136 per year in the fuel tax. But paying $.03/mile rate, the same diesel owner would pay an additional $123 per year in fuel tax, which is $14 less than the per gal rate.
If using gasoline, 15K miles/year at 20 mpg average (towing & not towing) would cost an additional $75 with the $.10/gal tax boost, but paying $.03/mile rate would cost an additional $315 per year, which is $240 more. Big gas/diesel difference.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Huzzah! You seem to have struck a nerve! Eleven comments, and counting, rather than “crickets.” 🙂 Thanks again and safe travels! 😉
PS, if the additional tax is used for road repair and maintenance, then, sure, increase the tax. Let’s make it per-me so the EVs don’t slip by without paying. If the tax used for any other purpose, then, no, no additional tax, but do shift to per-mile for previous reason. 😉
Neal…how will “per mile” be verified? More bureaucracy? Reliance on “honesty?” Mandatory tracking devices in every vehicle monitored by Big Brother? Think about it.
Good question, Mikal. I’d like to know. Yes, not many (any?) ways that don’t open individuals to intrusive spying. One way for states with annual vehicle inspections is to note the odometer reading each year and charge thereby. More generally, I would like to know how, if at all, the California survey explained this. Depending on what it is, then I might have to pivot to another answer. Thanks, Mikal, have a great weekend and safe travels! 🙂
Bicyclers, runners/walkers, skateboarders, electric motor bikes, etc. all use the roads.
How are they to be taxed..???
Hehe…
Charging a mileage fee is very unfair to a rural population which has to drive 30 miles to a grocery not 1 mile. I note many rural states have lower gas prices now. I just wish that fuel taxes would be spent on roads. Properly building so they don’t deteriorate so quickly alleviating traffic jams and safety. Not public transportation that is horribly inefficient, not bike lanes that are never used. Not to development of EV which looks great on paper but doesn’t work. Just build good quality plentiful roads and emission levels will plummet
I am not in favor of any increases. The government needs to do a better job of working with the money they already have. I don’t trust the government to keep the additional taxes just for transportation issues.
Agreed ! The money collected should be allocated to only the specific items noted. Not like Social Security that was rich with funds until the politicians decided it was their private slush fund.
The same politicians the voters reinstall year after year after year. Both major parties are to blame as are the voters that put them in charge. It’s time “We the People” make far better choices and PERSONALLY OWN the results of who we voted for and what they do.
How many here communicate frequently with their elected officials or track their voting records. ’nuff said.
So you think that it’s okay to borrow at zero interest from Social Security for road projects that we all enjoy, and never have to pay it back from road taxes.
So, you drive a Tesla, and your neighbor drives a Ram 3500. I ride a Harley. Tell me how any of this is fair.
Make fair by factoring in GVW. Motorcycle, being lighter, pays lower rate. Higher the GVW, the higher the rate. This directly correlates to damage vehicle causes to infrastructure.
A vote for the per mile tax, although it’s unlikely to happen in any time in the near future. All vehicles, perhaps classified based on GVWR, would all pay the same tax rate. This would be somewhat equitable. Those wonderful Electrics with their heavy batteries would have to pay for road damage, as much as anyone else. Hopefully, this might make every private and commercial vehicle equitable, as well. But I’m almost positive the politicians will find a way to make money on this. And will this be how those IRS folks will earn a living, in the future? Driving around checking millions of odometers?
Another choice please. Do you really trust our politicians to be honest and not sponge off the money raised for their own pet projects?
You need a 3rd choice, No. Since your doing a two answer survey are you doing it for the politicians that tax us too much already. Pa has one of the highest taxes and waste the money. Road work should go to the lowest bidder with the best quality. Whether union or non union.
no you need a third question. we went to war a long time ago to abolish taxes. now we are being taxed to the hilt. people on fixed incomes are the ones that are getting hurt by taxes.
We all have fixed incomes
Ever higher taxes with virtually no accountability or transparency on where they go. Government is an insatiable leviathan where there will never be enough taxes for.
Hi, Larry. Your use of the word “leviathan” made me think of the whale that washed up on the Oregon coast a few days ago after being hit by a ship. Sad. Is there a correlation there?🤔 Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
dead whale, bloated government…HMMMM I do see and smell the similarities, Sad that I (we) have become so cynical
Hi, Scott. I’m not really a cynical person. It’s just that my brain does weird stuff sometimes.🙃 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Increase tax? The six different ways that the tax would be spent on will never occur. Cmon, are taxes going to reduce traffic congestion or accidents? Global warming? Maintaining streets, roads and highways, don’t we have bond measures that have been voted on to address this yet we’re going to pay an increase in tax either by fuel or mileage. Our federal, state, city and county politicians will find a way to spend or line their pockets and not a cent will be spent on transportation.
3 cents a mile would be 3 times what I pay in federal fuel tax now based on my MPG. This would make it easier for the government to hike fuel tax in the future, “ it’s only 1 cent a mile”. It would be a non stop money grab for the feds. A tax per gallon also encourages people to buy more fuel efficient cars but a cost per mile would be no advantage to seek better MPGs.
Its all baloney. Use the money collected at the current level as it is supposed to be used and don’t siphon off for other political projects.
My home state of Minnesota openly violates the state constitution and siphons off nearly half of the taxes that are to be dedicated to roads and bridges for other projects. Then they want to raise fuel taxes even more. It’s a never ending cycle of “never enough” because government just cannot prioritize and control spending.
That said, per mile fees would require a nightmare beauracracy to manage. Any tax system must be simple and verifiable. Taxes on fuel (perhaps including electric charging stations) and annual registration fit that model.
So much for the gigantic multi-billion infrastructure bill. Your being HOSED by this government every day in every way.
Many do not realize the monitoring your modern vehicles have via the connectivity of the computers. You won’t have to be inspected, you’ll just receive a bill.
I don’t believe for a minute a survey conducted by an organization out of California, especially one that says people are willing to pay more taxes. How about conducting that survey elsewhere.
As you travel from one State with mileage tax to State with per gallon tax, how will everything be “fair”?
I know this was a “federal” ruse, but States will adoption also, especially if the cash is flowing.
We need good, honest leadership in this country. Leaders who will lead by example and take action to do what is right by the American people and not make excuses. “I predict the future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” -Thomas Jefferson-
I live in California, the state that is over taxed on everything!!!! We have been paying a gas tax for years and if you travel the roads in California you can tell that not one dime of that money is used on the roads. I read where they are proposing a $0.33 mileage fee. If I take an annual average of 15,000 miles which is $4,950 extra tax dollars. That is just one vehicle. We already pay the highest fee for tags/registration on our vehicles. A 2022 GMC 2500 was $950 and our 5th wheel was $850 per year. The infrastructure in California is horrible and most of these over taxed dollars are not being used for what they are intended.
We need better leadership in this country.
Used to live in California. Moved to Arizona in 2021. Registration for both our cars was a bit higher than California, but our motorhome registration in California was $1,200 and in Arizona it’s $1,850! Always thought California was more expensive but not now.
Billions on Gavies train to nowhere, and Billions on street junkies. That’s how our tax $ are wasted
I read a common thread in these comments…people are sick and tired of the money grubbing, corrupt politicians. Time for a change in our country.
Where is the “leave things as they are” in the survey? IF I were to buy a new car and its a hybrid, and charge at home, how would I pay a new tax bill? I already have to pay the power company to charge it!’
Good point but you don’t drive on the power lines.
You still drive on the roads SOOOO you would most likely face an average mileage payment yearly assessed to your electric vehicle
All things highway related currently depend on fuel – if petroleum prices go up it costs more for asphalt, concrete, trucking the materials to the highway job site, running the construction equipment, and getting the workers and equipment to the site. So, a per gallon or per mile fee can’t keep up with the cost of maintenance or construction, which is one reason why our roads and bridges are in such bad shape. The legislators missed a golden opportunity when gas hit $1.00 a gallon, they should have changed the fuel tax to percent instead of cents per gallon so the revenue would have a chance of keeping up with the needs.
pay by mile is just another way for the government to track us. Being in AZ these last 7 months I wonder what the state is doing with the gas tax they collect. The roads are horrible – both local, state and interstates. All the federal money seems to be going to building new interstate roads around Phoenix while the rest of the state continues to fall apart. The roads are so bad – cracked and full of pot holes – my MH is getting jolted apart including the headlight ensemble falling out of the dashboard.
Like most of life I’m finding-it’s all math. IF I drive 12,000 mi/yr AND get 20 mpg I would use 600 gallons of fuel. A 10 cent hike would “cost” me $60/yr. Driving 12,000 miles @ 3 cents would “cost” me $360.00. In this Use Case 10 cents is LESS than 3 cents although common sense says it shouldn’t be! Although TBF, I would NOT expect the gov’t to actually spend it on its stated purpose (and let’s not go down the road of time lost vs time saved when roads are under repair and “improved.” LOL
You did not include the gas taxes you currently pay in the equation.
current gas tax/gallon + 10¢/ gallon surcharge = total tax.
then divide total tax by the 600 gallons for amount to compare to 3¢ charge per mile.
working backwards.
$360/600 gallons = tax rate of 60¢ gallon.
subtract the 10¢ surcharge = break even existing gas tax rate for your example of 50¢.
if your state charges more than that per gallon, then the per mile rate is to your benefit.
if your state charges less than that per gallon, then the surcharge is better.
Doug, it’s still cheaper raising the federal tax 10 cents per gallon using Bob’s assumptions of 12000 miles/yr and 20 mpg. $.28 new tax x 600 gal= $168 tax vs $360 tax per year. Also the federal tax has nothing to do with state gas taxes. One is added to the other.
We are out of country a lot and drive there. I would rather pay at the pump per gallon since a lot of our “miles” aren’t even in the US.
The most.likely scenario is that the gas tax will increase, and at the same time per-mile fees will become commomplace. And if history is an indicator, neither roads , nor traffic, nor air quality will improve because of.it!
Spot on, Mo!
Clearly there are 2 classes of campers. Some never move their unit more than 50 miles from home. Then there are those of us who are out to see the USA! There’s no way we want to pay-per-mile every time we make the trek from our home in northern Kentucky to the west coast!
Absolutely not, keep poking the bear(American people) at some point there will be push back, government has gotten too big for their britches…
Face it, folks, the government dug a hole they are now trying to get out of. First, the government demanded an ever-increasing higher mileage from vehicles (less fuel used, less gas tax collected for the same use of the infrastructure). Now, they want to eliminate fuel using vehicles by demanding you only use electric. Hum, NO fuel tax at all.
It won’t be what the consumer wants, it will be what the government mandates. Frankly, I see the government mandating both.
The only problem with this is, if the American people decide to go with a mileage tax, pinhead politicians would NOT drop the federal fuel tax. They’d collect both. That’s how they work.
Interesting article:
https://reason.org/commentary/the-highway-trust-fund-is-running-out-of-money/
Pretty much what I said below. They need to start making EV pay to use the roads. You know, pay their fair share!!! My 3500 RAM has a $50 surcharge because of its weight. Considering the average EV weighs about the same, they should ALSO have a similar charge.