VMT or vehicle miles traveled, is a way of taxing vehicle use based on miles driven instead of a gasoline tax. politicians, even in search of ways of taking more money in, are 'concerned' because cars are becoming more fuel-efficient and thus providing the govt with less gas tax revenue.

so now there's a movement to tax based on miles driven.

here's an article about one strong proponent, congressman blumenauer of oregon.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting...s_nationa.html

and another about how an opponent in congress is now out of office.
http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/12/17...a-mileage-fee/

what are your thoughts?

 

And yet they're the ones making fuel economy goals for automakers...

 

I don't see it happening.

I can see the uproar if if involves any kind of retroactive fitting of a black box to record mileage.

Even if we did something in Florida where every year when we renew our registrations (I know we can get 2 year ones also), it would require someone coming out to the vehicle to check out the mileage since we no longer have safety or emissions inspections. Any kind of inspection would just raise the price on everything.

The easiest way, and the way no politician would want to do, is simply increase the existing tax. Would probably be cheaper, and the lesser of two evils, than doing some black box BS to record mileage.

 

good point - what is the advantage to VMT (consumption) since gas tax IS a consumption tax also?

 

It won't impact me much since I drove 3~5 miles daily. Good luck to those in the countryside with daily average of 60~70 miles. Our govt currently seeking all ways to lower their debts.....

 

gasoline tax is already a tax on miles driven essentially. Some people can go further than others. Doing a miles driven tax instead of gasoline tax doesnt discourage the driving of less fuel efficient vehicles whereas the gasoline tax would.

 

fixed for truth.

 

advantage is that gas guzzlers and Prius pay the same tax :-)

 

advantage for whom?

 

The problem is that the fuel tax is a constant number per gallon which does not change as the retail price of fuel increases -- the current tax generated from fuels is less in current, real-dollar terms than it was when originally set. If, however, the fuel tax was set as a percentage of the retail price, the funds generated would increase with inflation (and the rise of retail fuel prices). But to reset fuel taxes to a percentage of the retail price would be seen as an INCREASE in taxes which is something that no American politician has the courage to do.