A pilot program, established six years ago, that charges drivers a fee based on the number of miles they drive, instead of a gas tax, has been extended another five years. That’s under a bill signed by Governor Newsom earlier this fall. And now Nevada County’s state senator has released an opinion piece denouncing the idea. Although participation in the program is voluntary, Brian Dahle says it will hurt rural residents, in particular, if it eventually becomes mandatory, because they tend to drive more…

click to listen to Brian Dahle

Gas tax revenue funds road construction and repair, but has been consistently declining, with fuel efficiency improving. But Dahle is pleased to see that electric vehicle drivers, who don’t pay gas taxes, would be charged mileage fees…

click to listen to Brian Dahle

An executive order signed by Newsom would ban internal combustion engines by 2035. The per-mile tax is not known at this time. Volunteers for the program get bills for the number of miles they drive and are refunded for any gas taxes paid. The plan relies on odometer measurements or GPS tracking.