ATRI report calls possible VMT tax costly and complicated

[Mike]

ARLINGTON, Va. —The vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax has surfaced as a possible funding mechanism to prop up the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and potentially contribute to funding for much-needed infrastructure projects. However, a new report from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has assessed the VMT tax as “complicated” and “costly.”

“It’s clear that a VMT tax is a far more complicated and costly replacement for the fuel tax than many had anticipated,” said Jim Burg, president and CEO of Michigan-based James Burg Trucking Co. “If a system like this is going to work for everyone, many years of thoughtful planning and federal leadership are needed.”

A VMT fee that would impose a widespread tax or per-mile charge for all vehicles has been tossed around as a possible option to help maintain the nation’s highways, along with plans that are swirling around regarding funding an infrastructure package.

ATRI report calls possible VMT tax ‘costly’ and ‘complicated’; trucking associations weigh in

ARLINGTON, Va. —The vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax has surfaced as a possible funding mechanism to prop up the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and potentially

www.thetrucker.com

 

[Mike]

Not a fan of it, but not sure what else would be more feasible going forward with the potential of hydrogen and electric power.

We could just keep raising the fuel tax, but that would be really unfair to the lower MPG folks, Kind of unfair to the high MPG folks, and the new green energy trucks would be basically getting a pass.

Unless they could find a way to tax the hydrogen and electricity purchases in a similar way to where everyone is paying equally for the amount of miles they run.

 

[Electric Chicken]

The only way for it to be 100% fair is to stop freaking spending the money on shit that has nothing to do with infrastructure.

 

[Mike]

The only way for it to be 100% fair is to stop freaking spending the money on shit that has nothing to do with infrastructure.

That’s not going to happen, so the next best thing is to figure out how they are going to fairly charge everyone regardless of the type of fuel they are using.

 

[Electric Chicken]

That’s not going to happen, so the next best thing is to figure out how they are going to fairly charge everyone regardless of the type of fuel they are using.

Yes let's figure out how to fairly give them more money to misappropriate.

 

[Fast Freddy]

The Secretary of Transportation recently has been saying in Interviews that he is in favor of a mileage tax. The proposal is a 3 Trillion dollar infrastructure which would be funded by a one or two cent per mile tax. Those who drive more pay more.

This is a god awful idea. This will screw over poorer people in rural areas who have to commute far to work and schools and such, and benefit those in cities who live closer to work.

And of course this type of tax system will mean the federal government will have some sort of tracking technology on your vehicle. Which I’m thinking is something the government wants anyway.

Now how will this effect Trucking ?? Seems unclear, but something tells me we’ll get screwed harder than anyone else as that’s the norm.

Redirect Notice

 

[mndriver]

I’d like to see holding them accountable before giving them more to mismanage.

 

[Duck]

I’d like to see holding them accountable before giving them more to mismanage.

We don't give. They simply take.

 

[gearjammer]

I’d like to see holding them accountable before giving them more to mismanage.

We don't give. They simply take.

who is the "them" and "they" of which you two speak of?

 

[Hammer166]

who is the "them" and "they" of which you two speak of?

Our masters in D.C., of course.

 

[Duck]

Our masters in D.C., of course.

Who else?

 

[Mike]

This is a god awful idea. This will screw over poorer people in rural areas who have to commute far to work and schools and such, and benefit those in cities who live closer to work.

Granted, it doesn't sound like a good idea, and in the end, we will all end up paying more once a change is made.

That said, this isn't 10 years ago. Today, electric personal vehicles are a reality, Hybrids have been here a while now, and alternative fuel semi trucks are only going to increase in popularity.

Out in Arizona and up the west coast this week, it seemed like most of what was passing me was either a Tesla, a Prius, or some sort of hybrid.

so, with personal vehicles, what is a better alternative? Should the Tesla owner be able to charge his/her car in the garage and never have to contribute anything to keep up the roads? Is it fair for the Prius owner to pay 1/3 of the amount that a typical car owner pays for the same road use?

For commercial trucks, at least OTR, it's easy. Just handle it through IFTA. Intrastate trucks would have to come up with some sort of system, and mileage reporting just like we do for IFTA would probably work just fine.

The idea of providing personal information isn't a popular one with anyone. That said, with new technology comes the need for all sorts of changes.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Teslas are high tech enough and those people place no value on privacy so just track them. Facebook already knows where they are.

 

[Hammer166]

Teslas are high tech enough and those people place no value on privacy so just track them. Facebook already knows where they are.

I should dig up the story... it was in Car & Driver quite a while back... one of the early owners was surprised by Tesla techs who showed up to charge his car. I don't know if it has changed, but early Teslas that went completely dead were permanently dead. So unbeknownst to the owners, Tesla was tracking charge state and location of every one of their vehicles. I want to say it wasn't in the ToS, but it's been too long since I've read it to remember for sure.

 

[Fast Freddy]

Granted, it doesn't sound like a good idea, and in the end, we will all end up paying more once a change is made.

That said, this isn't 10 years ago. Today, electric personal vehicles are a reality, Hybrids have been here a while now, and alternative fuel semi trucks are only going to increase in popularity.

Out in Arizona and up the west coast this week, it seemed like most of what was passing me was either a Tesla, a Prius, or some sort of hybrid.

so, with personal vehicles, what is a better alternative? Should the Tesla owner be able to charge his/her car in the garage and never have to contribute anything to keep up the roads? Is it fair for the Prius owner to pay 1/3 of the amount that a typical car owner pays for the same road use?

For commercial trucks, at least OTR, it's easy. Just handle it through IFTA. Intrastate trucks would have to come up with some sort of system, and mileage reporting just like we do for IFTA would probably work just fine.

The idea of providing personal information isn't a popular one with anyone. That said, with new technology comes the need for all sorts of changes.

Perhaps with the annual registration a system where the hybrid owners have to pay more to offset the difference. Government trackers are a no way no chance no how type of issue for me.

I don’t mind taxing hybrids higher. Most of the owners are rather snobby and think they’re saving the world.

 

[mndriver]

Minnesota is showing they loose about $230 annually off each hybrid.

Discussion is to add that amount to their annual registration.

Man you want to talk about pissing people off...

“Why should we have a surcharge for road tax when gas vehicles don’t?”

These people are fucking clueless.

 

[Mike]

Minnesota is showing they loose about $230 annually off each hybrid.

Discussion is to add that amount to their annual registration.

Man you want to talk about pissing people off...

“Why should we have a surcharge for road tax when gas vehicles don’t?”

These people are fucking clueless.

And then the hybrid owner that drives 3000 miles per year gets taxed at the rate of the hybrid owner that drives 16000 miles per year.

 

[Hammer166]

And then the hybrid owner that drives 3000 miles per year gets taxed at the rate of the hybrid owner that drives 16000 miles per year.

That's not as big a problem as one would think, except for the perception. Anyone driving a hybrid that many miles a year isn't seeing a lot of benefit of the hybrid technology, they're spending most of their miles being pushed down the road by the gas engine, and paying the fuel tax associated with that higher fuel burn.

 

[Duck]

That's not as big a problem as one would think, except for the perception. Anyone driving a hybrid that many miles a year isn't seeing a lot of benefit of the hybrid technology, they're spending most of their miles being pushed down the road by the gas engine, and paying the fuel tax associated with that higher fuel burn.

The prius doesn't seem to be a whole lot worse on gas on the highway than local.

Gas Mileage of 2020 Toyota Prius

Search by Model. Search by make for fuel efficient new and used cars and trucks

fueleconomy.gov

I usually get about 39/39 mpg with my Goldwing.

 

[Hammer166]

But go look at how much lower non-hybrid fuel mileage is in town.

Fuel Economy of 2021 Toyota Corolla

Fuel economy of the 2021 Toyota Corolla. 1984 to present Buyer's Guide to Fuel Efficient Cars and Trucks. Estimates of gas mileage, greenhouse gas emissions, safety ratings, and air pollution ratings for new and used cars and trucks.

www.fueleconomy.gov

A hybrid used in town uses about 60% of the fuel a standard car would.