Comments on: Do We Need A Vehicle Mileage Tax? http://amateurassetallocator.com/2009/02/25/do-we-need-a-vehicle-mileage-tax/ Amateur Asset Allocator Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:56:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Kevin Condon http://amateurassetallocator.com/2009/02/25/do-we-need-a-vehicle-mileage-tax/comment-page-1/#comment-3799 Kevin Condon Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:41:26 +0000 http://amateurassetallocator.com/?p=1072#comment-3799 It is hard to believe dozens of transportation experts could meet for two years to evaluate over 30 alternatives to the current flat per-gallon gas tax and not even consider a tax based on efficient vehicle assessment (EVA). As you know, a congressional commission has recommended to Congress and the DOT that a vehicle mileage tax (VMT) is the best alternative (having not considered an EVA tax) and at least 17 states (including MA) are now actively considering VMT. This is a very bad choice for several reasons, including that by taxing miles and not efficiency the VMT treats the Hummer as it does the hybrid or motorbike. In fact, a Hummer used in the suburbs to go from home to the local mall will pay less tax per gallon than will small vehicles that happen to be in a rural area (which obviously and unavoidably means longer drives). VMT also requires a massive effort and expense to equip all vehicles with mileage tracking mechanisms (GPS, odometer-reading, etc.) And, of course, it raises enormous privacy issues. A better name for it might be "Track 'n Tax". EVA, on the other hand, does create an incentive to drive efficient vehicles (an incentive noticeable at each visit to the pump, not just upon purchase of the vehicle). It is a software installed at the pump that will calculate each vehicle's per-gallon rate based on current VIN data (make, model, weight, year, etc.). A Hummer, therefore, would pay a much higher per gallon rate than the Ford Escort. EVA is fair to rurual drivers. It requires each vehicle simply put a VIN barcoded decal on the windshield; the government structure is in place for this (RMV, DMV, etc.). And EVA raises no privacy issues. If you want to discuss, feel free to email me at eva@corecomputergroup.com It is hard to believe dozens of transportation experts could meet for two years to evaluate over 30 alternatives to the current flat per-gallon gas tax and not even consider a tax based on efficient vehicle assessment (EVA). As you know, a congressional commission has recommended to Congress and the DOT that a vehicle mileage tax (VMT) is the best alternative (having not considered an EVA tax) and at least 17 states (including MA) are now actively considering VMT. This is a very bad choice for several reasons, including that by taxing miles and not efficiency the VMT treats the Hummer as it does the hybrid or motorbike. In fact, a Hummer used in the suburbs to go from home to the local mall will pay less tax per gallon than will small vehicles that happen to be in a rural area (which obviously and unavoidably means longer drives). VMT also requires a massive effort and expense to equip all vehicles with mileage tracking mechanisms (GPS, odometer-reading, etc.) And, of course, it raises enormous privacy issues. A better name for it might be “Track ‘n Tax”.

EVA, on the other hand, does create an incentive to drive efficient vehicles (an incentive noticeable at each visit to the pump, not just upon purchase of the vehicle). It is a software installed at the pump that will calculate each vehicle’s per-gallon rate based on current VIN data (make, model, weight, year, etc.). A Hummer, therefore, would pay a much higher per gallon rate than the Ford Escort.

EVA is fair to rurual drivers. It requires each vehicle simply put a VIN barcoded decal on the windshield; the government structure is in place for this (RMV, DMV, etc.). And EVA raises no privacy issues.

If you want to discuss, feel free to email me at eva@corecomputergroup.com

]]> By: TBOU http://amateurassetallocator.com/2009/02/25/do-we-need-a-vehicle-mileage-tax/comment-page-1/#comment-3750 TBOU Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:53:59 +0000 http://amateurassetallocator.com/?p=1072#comment-3750 The privacy is my main problem with it. It wouldn't be hard to also add a speed tax to this since you would already be measuring the distance traveled and logging the time... What if you have 2 cars? I see a big incentive to drive the less driven car to the station, fill up a bunch of gas containers and put the relatively cheaper gas in your main car. All of these situations are rubbish, this is only Big Brother trying to get more control in our lives and track where we go. The privacy is my main problem with it. It wouldn’t be hard to also add a speed tax to this since you would already be measuring the distance traveled and logging the time…

What if you have 2 cars? I see a big incentive to drive the less driven car to the station, fill up a bunch of gas containers and put the relatively cheaper gas in your main car.

All of these situations are rubbish, this is only Big Brother trying to get more control in our lives and track where we go.

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