Proposed federal yearly fee for Hybrids

[SafetyGuy]

makes me no difference how they apply/collect the road maintenance fees as long as their fair/equal regardless of the vehicles propulsion method. If we can send people/objects into space, collect data about the solar system and all the other stuff, they should be able to come up with a fair process to charge equally for road usage.

I said it before.

TAX TIRES

Its a milage tax with no GPS tracking and consumer reporting needed.
SIMPLE

Initially, it seems effective...but I think we all would all need Denver Boots on all 4 tires and spare when not moving, shortly after implementation, if it got that far.

For alternative, possibly appropriate method of taxation in this regard, see my post #53, earlier in this thread on my Netherlands experience and some general tax numbers...there is even a graph on taxes paid around the world...good stuff!

Or not...already figured out, let's not reinvent the wheel again. Just adjust to local need.

;-)

Andy

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[BkK]

Oregon already has a tiered vehicle tax based on gas mileage, so i guess we’ll get double tapped

 

[inline_five]

I said it before.

TAX TIRES

Its a milage tax with no GPS tracking and no consumer reporting needed.
SIMPLE

Just for some fun math. Assuming:

• 50,000 mile rated tires on average
• Four tires
• 25 mpg on average for typical vehicle
• $0.18 HTF tax

At 50,000 miles, a typical average vehicle getting 25 mpg would pay around $360 in federal gas taxes.

So, each tire would have to be taxed $90 each. But do you adjust for wear rating? How would you handle a situation in which the tires only last half as long as they should for whatever reason?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Those questions are a governance issue. They should not be contracting this out and most especially to overseas owners/operators. The lack of transparency is pretty bad.

There are opportunities to improve express ways, bypasses, and certain road sections and use a toll system to manage it if properly managed. Sadly the road taxes appear to go into a general slush fund and that is used for anything. So back to governance issues and little accountability.

I generally am opposed to tolls, but I would take that over the push for lowjacking vehicles and paying by the mile and the other implications that probably come with it.

I don't like tolls but appreciate the (usually) driving time and gasoline saved. (Trip across Austin $6.80 toll in about 50 minutes with maybe 1-2 traffic slowdowns versus with no tolls 90 to 120 minutes.
Be glad the road taxes pass through the general fund as it makes up the operating differences otherwise the fuel taxes would be more unbelievable.
The tolls are brought about when bond issues are voted down and that opens up private contracting. I would like to see (perhaps) issuance of tax free to US wholly owned entities bonds to build anything. Not likely to ever happen. Over 60% of sand, gravel, quarries, paving, concrete in Texas is owned by Foreign entities.

 

[pigsareus]

In Virginia any vehicle with a combined over 25 mpg pays extra based on the mpg for that vehicle.
[/QU
that's rather terrible, how the heck did that bill pass without people throwing a fit?

 

[mrjspence]

This is the same as anti-EV rhetoric & misinformation. Our GOP govt. punishing the little guy to line pockets. It’s crap.

We already subsidize oil companies through our taxes—ostensibly to keep fuel prices low—and then we get taxed again at the pump: 18.4 cents per gallon federally for gas, 24.4 cents for diesel, plus more in state and local taxes and fees. So we’re paying twice to use the roads.

But as hybrid & especially EV adoption increases, that tax base shrinks, while still using the same infrastructure. Instead of clinging to outdated fossil fuel subsidies, we could shift toward a smarter model: a sliding scale that reduces oil subsidies as hybrid/EV adoption grows. That freed-up money could be reinvested directly into infrastructure upkeep, charging networks, and road maintenance—ensuring that everyone using the roads contributes, without penalizing progress.

It’s not about punishing one mode of transportation or another—it’s about recognizing the double cost we already pay and reallocating funds toward a future-proof system. If that is the goal- which I don’t think it is.

 

[Prickly Pear]

Going to toll roads at least in Texas is not a long term realistic answer as the majority of the toll roads are operated and primarily owned by overseas companies which export the profits. Those monies leave the stateside economy and effectively create a drain much worse than any tax. There are many idiocies that happen. Municipality pushes water saving restrictions and then has to raise the water per gallon rate since they bill for fewer gallons. "Have to break even!".

Keep this quiet! Don't want govt to realize that they could put a new tax on BALD DRIVERS!

Bald drivers? I'd be screwed

 

[Prickly Pear]

Initially, it seems effective...but I think we all would all need Denver Boots on all 4 tires and spare when not moving, shortly after implementation, if it got that far.

For alternative, possibly appropriate method of taxation in this regard, see my post #53, earlier in this thread on my Netherlands experience and some general tax numbers...there is even a graph on taxes paid around the world...good stuff!

Or not...already figured out, let's not reinvent the wheel again. Just adjust to local need.

;-)

Andy

God, I hadn't thought of that - tires would become the new catalytic converters.

 

[SafetyGuy]

God, I hadn't thought of that - tires would become the new catalytic converters.

Exactly, but worse.
Even changing all your wheel nuts to all needing their own special tool, maybe each with their own key.

Watch out for Mavericks travelling at night with a welder...to do a quick attachment weld to your wheel nuts to get them off maybe?

Trackers being secreted to follow you home... (them are some mighty fine tires you have there...).

Insert "scared eyes" here. MAVERICK tires and rims would be the new gold!

Okay, an exaggeration for the attempt at a laugh. But it could be a bad situation, in a worst case scenario.

Andy

 

[BDennis]

Or this for a real "Free Ride"

While the Maverick is a hybrid it is hardly a high mpg when compared to say a Prius. We are hardly skipping out at the pump.

 

[imboden013]

If fed imposes a fee for hybrid vehicles , what’s the point of buying hybrid? My state already imposes a fee that along with costly oil change and extra wear on brakes you might as well drive ecoboost. I calculated that I was saving maybe $150a year

 

[imboden013]

I can see EVs..hybrids and not similar high MPG ICE vehicles? What makes them immune it's the same idea :

Passenger Cars

1. Mitsubishi Mirage/G4 w/1.2-liter 3-cyl and CVT: 36/43 mpg
2. Honda Civic w/1.5-liter 4-cyl: 33/42 mpg
3. Hyundai Elantra w/2.0-liter 4-cyl and CVT: 32/41 mpg
4. Toyota Corolla/Hatchback w/2.0-liter 4-cyl and 10-spd trans: 32/41 mpg
5. Nissan Versa w/1.6-liter 4-cyl and CVT: 32/40 mpg

Luxury Cars

1. Acura Integra w/1.5-liter turbo-four and 7-spd trans: 30/37 mpg
2. Audi A3 w/2.0-liter turbo-four and 7-spd trans: 29/37 mpg
3. BMW 530i w/2.0-liter turbo-four and 8-spd trans: 27/35 mpg
4. Mercedes-Benz C300 w/2.0-liter turbo-four and 9-spd trans: 26/36 mpg
5. Mercedes-Benz CLA250 w/2.0-liter turbo-four and 8-spd trans: 26/36 mpg

SUVs

1. Nissan Kicks w/1.6-liter 4-cyl and CVT: 31/36 mpg
2. Hyundai Kona w/2.0-liter 4-cyl and CVT: 29/34 mpg
3. Chevrolet Trailblazer w/1.3-liter turbo-three and CVT: 29/33 mpg
4. Hyundai Venue w/1.6-liter 4-cyl and CVT: 29/33 mpg
5. Volkswagen Taos w/1.5-liter turbo-four and 8-spd trans: 28/36 mpg

Luxury SUVs

1. Lexus NX w/2.5-liter 4-cyl and 8-cyl trans: 26/33 mpg
2. Cadillac XT4 w/2.0-liter turbo-four and 9-spd trans: 24/29 mpg
3. BMW X1 w/ w/2.0-liter turbo-four and 7-spd trans: 23/31 mpg
4. Infiniti QX50 w/2.0-liter turbo-four and 8-spd trans: 23/39 mpg
5. BMW X3 w/2.0-liter turbo-four and 8-spd trans: 23/29 mpg

Pickup Trucks

1. Ford Maverick w/2.0-liter turbo-four and 8-spd trans: 23/30 mpg
2. Ford Ranger w/2.3-liter turbo-four and 10-spd trans: 21/25 mpg
3. Chevrolet Colorado w/2.7-liter turbo-four and 8-spd trans: 19/24 mpg
4. GMC Canyon w/2.7-liter turbo-four and 8-spd trans: 19/23 mpg
5. Nissan Frontier w/3.8-liter 6-cyl and 8-spd trans: 18/24 mpg

Some of those owners should be exempt from extra tax as I feel sorry for them having to drive that piece of crap. Mitsubishi Mirage indeed!

 

[The Real Maverick]

Just for some fun math. Assuming:

• 50,000 mile rated tires on average

At 50,000 miles, a typical average vehicle getting 25 mpg would pay around $360 in federal gas taxes.

So, each tire would have to be taxed $90 each. But do you adjust for wear rating? How would you handle a situation in which the tires only last half as long as they should for whatever reason?

If you wear them out sooner, usually that is your fault. Tough Luck. Life's a beech.

If you PUNCTURE / Damage one early beyond repair, you would have your taxes pro-rated on your next set.

Easy when all done at the dealership automatically.

 

[pigsareus]

Just for some fun math. Assuming:

• 50,000 mile rated tires on average
• Four tires
• 25 mpg on average for typical vehicle
• $0.18 HTF tax

At 50,000 miles, a typical average vehicle getting 25 mpg would pay around $360 in federal gas taxes.

So, each tire would have to be taxed $90 each. But do you adjust for wear rating? How would you handle a situation in which the tires only last half as long as they should for whatever reason?

I said it before.

TAX TIRES

Its a milage tax with no GPS tracking and no consumer reporting needed.
SIMPLE

nope - too many variables involved and too many would be driving around on bald tires as they don't want to /can't afford a new set along with the taxes.

 

[HenryFord]

nope - too many variables involved and too many would be driving around on bald tires as they don't want to /can't afford a new set along with the taxes.

Bald tires = rims LOL

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