Battery based electric vehicles of today and tomorrow.

[California]

Why not just require a certified odometer reading at each registration renewal.

Or for EV's, have the charging station pull the odometer reading from the car when a public charging station is used then report year-end miles to DMV. I expect Tesla already has the capability to do this.

Smog check stations in California email pass/fail results to DMV for registration renewal so there's an existing model that could be extended to EV's. So require a reading there for customers who never use a public charger, or for cars that were put in service prior to having reporting software.

One element of the puzzle to keep in mind: Trucks beat up the pavement so should carry most of the cost of major repairs. Cars are what creates demand for more lanes or new routes. Tax policy should reflect these different cost bases.

 

[Jstpssng]

Why not just require a certified odometer reading at each registration renewal.

Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger. :laughing: I was commenting on one idea that passed around, and suggested the same alternative as you have.

 

[California]

Somebody commented on towing capacity of an EV a few pages back but I can't find the post to quote it.

Anyhow here's the marketing claim for Tesla's new truck that should be out in a year or so:

 

[Jstpssng]

I am curious how much towing a 14000 trailer would affect the range. It's an interesting direction he's heading in, if he can make it work. I still can't get over how ugly that thing is though.

 

[aczlan]

You would think that info would be readily available thru the OBD port. Most states require an annual inspection where the garage plugs into the OBD port to verify that there are no outstanding error codes. Easy enough to log mileage since last inspection and send the owner a bill.
Minimal intrusiveness and/or additional bureaucracy needed.

Ah, but if you live on a border between multiple States, and drive all the time in the other state, that state will want to get its cut both highway tax revenue like it would if you filled up in that state.


Aaron Z

 

[PILOON]

Why not just require a certified odometer reading at each registration renewal.

Problem is that is annual event and when that large invoice comes due the driver might just have to declare bankrupt.
No, like with gas, the tax bite needs to be palatable.

 

[fried1765]

Problem is that is annual event and when that large invoice comes due the driver might just have to declare bankrupt.
No, like with gas, the tax bite needs to be palatable.

Ok then.....$100 per month (or some other fixed amount) automatically charged, and the balance adjusted at time of registration renewal.

 

[Grumpycat]

You mean..... It actually Goes to 11 ?

Spinal Tap - "These go to eleven...." - YouTube

Sorry, couldn't resist..... yep, I think many (more likely most/all) vehicle companies derate 100% at the start of life, as described.

Rgds, D.

Tesla’s volume controls really do go to 11.

 

[Grumpycat]

Average rate in the US is 13.3 cents/kWh, not 10.

10¢ is an easy number for those who can not do the math themselves to scale to their own electric power rate. Then again, those are exactly the same people who have no idea what they are paying or how to calculate MPG.

 

[Grumpycat]

One of my concerns is with the increasing popularity of EV's, who is going to pay for the construction and maintenance of the roadways.
Fuel taxes traditionally support that but will the future take if from general taxation?
If so then every human that pays taxes will be supporting the road infrastructure system.
Including those that don't drive as well as all retirees.

There is but one electricity power grid, not domestic and a second automotive.
Or has this been addressed yet?

Alabama recently levied a punitive $200/year on EVs. That is equivalent to 21,000 miles/year at 30 MPG.