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California is considering replacing the gas tax, which pays for the lion’s share of road repairs and other transportation projects, with a more sustainable source of funding — and they need your help testing it out.
Officials say a new system is needed as more Californians switch to fuel-efficient vehicles, which means lower gas tax revenue at the pump. Drivers of all electric cars don’t pay the tax at all — a budget drain that will grow more serious as more people ditch traditional combustion engines.“This is a really great opportunity for you to experience and test something out, and then tell decision makers what you think,” Lauren Prehoda, the program manager, told LAist. “Is this a good solution for the state? Is this something that we should be moving forward and considering?”to start studying the road charge system, and the first pilot launched a few years later, successfully testing more than 5,000 vehicles and 37 million miles.People will drive like they usually do for six months, pay their monthly road charges online, and receive a gas or EV credit at the end of the program so they’re not being double-taxed. Officials say a new system is needed as more Californians switch to fuel-efficient vehicles, which means lower gas tax revenue at the pump. Drivers of all electric cars don’t pay the tax at all — a budget drain that will grow more serious as more people ditch traditional combustion engines. Roughly 80% of roadLauren Prehoda, the program’s manager, told LAist it’s a chance for people to shape the state’s future funding. “This is a really great opportunity for you to experience and test something out, and then tell decision makers what you think,” she said. “Is this a good solution for the state? Is this something that we should be moving forward and considering?”A road charge is a fee based on how many miles you drive, rather than a gas tax that’s based on how many gallons used.to start studying the road charge system, and the first pilot launched a few years later, successfully testing more than 5,000 vehicles and 37 million miles. “Instead of paying the state’s gas tax, which disproportionately impacts those who cannot afford more fuel-efficient vehicles, everyone would pay a per-mile fee for how much they use the road, regardless of what kind of car they drive,” according to the program.Most people wouldn’t see a significant change if the system does switch, according to Caltrans, but drivers of zero-emission vehicles would likely notice, as they currently contribute very little to the tax, if at all. Plus, well maintained roads could lead to a drop in vehicle repairs across the board, which California drivers spend an estimated $840 annually on average, according to the program.People will drive like they usually do for six months, pay their monthly road charges online, and receive a gas or EV credit at the end of the program so they’re not being double-taxed. This year’s pilot will be the first time participants send real money to the state, as previous programs only simulated payments. Officials want to see the risks and challenges of collecting the road charge before moving further with the new funding option, according to Caltrans. People can express their interest by filling out a brief questionnaire that’s open through at least next month, possibly longer if they need more sign-ups, Prehoda said.Participants will be chosen in July. They’ll then be asked to register online and select a method for reporting their miles. “We have three different options that you can choose from,” Prehoda said. “Some are very low tech, some have a location sharing aspect. It's up to you to choose what you do” The pilot officially kicks off Aug. 1, and participants will be required to pay their road charges off each month. There’s two surveys and incentives throughout the program where people can earn up to $400 in gift cards.Drive a non-commercial passenger vehicle, including electric or hybrid modelsAgree to report mileage and pay the monthly road charge throughout the program Once it wraps up next January, that will mark the end of the research stage and the results will be reported back to the legislature.
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