Oklahoma explores program to charge drivers per mile

[NationalMatch]

TULSA, Okla. — Think about the state monitoring your every mile behind the wheel. That could become reality in Oklahoma.

Oklahomans have to drive. Oklahoma has to maintain its own roads. Maintaining those roads costs money. One source of that money, the motor fuel tax, is not looking promising. ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz, says his agency’s projections show the tax revenue remaining flat for the next several years.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation just completed a pilot program testing mileage tracking.

“We used every method that we could to track mileage," Gatz said.
More than half of the participants self-reported their miles, and about a third opted to use a device in their car.

“As we look at the future of transportation and the future of motor fuel tax, we see that as a declining revenue stream,” Gatz said.

Cars are gaining fuel efficiency these days, and an increasing number of Oklahomans are driving electric vehicles.

The pilot program assumed a fee of one cent per mile. Results of the trials projected each Oklahoman would pay about $124.80 per year. Comparatively, the average Oklahoman is paying about $111.72 in fuel taxes, according to ODOT.

TRACKING MILES: Oklahoma explores program to charge drivers per mile

2 News Oklahoma's Brodie Myers asked ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz, what a mileage-tracking program would look like for Oklahomans.

www.kjrh.com

 

[retrieverman]

I guess ODOT saw how well the ODWC money grab worked and is going to try their own.

 

[Angler2312]

So, would this program replace the fuel tax or be in addition to fuel tax?

 

[1shott]

Oh screw that crap.

Tax the electric cars more in sales tax or excise tax and tag renewals.

I pay enough in taxes as it is.

 

[1shott]

So, would this program replace the fuel tax or be in addition to fuel tax?

It would be in addition, I have never known a politician or the .gov to do away with a tax.

 

[CPT Gene Mauch]

The government can't balance a budget when money is already taxed every time it changes hands, so of course the solution is more tax!

No thanks, I'm good.

 

[1911Sooner]

OKC is the 2nd largest city in the Country in land size. You have to drive pretty far to get anywhere. Doesn't sound like a good deal.

 

[Dorkus]

More taxes so we can have more orange cones “fixing” roads for five years at a time.

No thanks.

 

[Shinneryfarmer]

So, would this program replace the fuel tax or be in addition to fuel tax?

That's the way they make it sound but I doubt it. But if they did scrap the fuel tax that is at .19 cents per gallon and charge one cent per mile it would depend on the type of vehicle your drive whether you would pay more. Say you drive a efficient car that gets 32 miles per gallon, your tax just increased .13 cents per gallon. But your truck only gets 12 miles per gallon your tax decreased .07 cents per gallon. Hmmm!!!

 

[Angler2312]

That's the way they make it sound but I doubt it. But if they did scrap the fuel tax that is at .19 cents per gallon and charge one cent per mile it would depend on the type of vehicle your drive whether you would pay more. Say you drive a efficient car that gets 32 miles per gallon, your tax just increased .13 cents per gallon. But your truck only gets 12 miles per gallon your tax decreased .07 cents per gallon. Hmmm!!!

And, if you only paid once a year with your taxes.