California Considers Ditching Gas Tax And Instead Track Every Mile You Drive

In an attempt to recoup the lost revenue from the state’s gas tax, California is now piloting a new program called the “California Road Charge,” which taxes the driver by-the-mile instead. The program is currently offering $400 for volunteers to install a tracking device in their vehicle or provide a number of pictures logging the journey.

The project is being overseen by the the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

The auto publication Car Buzz noted in a report that this is a “necessary evil.” The outlet noted:

The state already has a $100 a year annual fee to recoup some of the lost gas tax revenue for EVs, but according to a Caltrans spokesperson, the average combustion driver pays about $300 per year in gas taxes. Given that there are 1.5 million EVs on California roads and all of this money is supposed to be for upkeep of the state’s highway system, it’s seen as not fair that a Model 3 isn’t paying as much as a Toyota Corolla.