All Those Electric Cars . . .

[unit731]

Automotive News -- May 24, 2010 - 12:01 am ET

 

 

More than 50 years ago, President Dwight Eisenhower and Congress launched the largest road-building project in history with the interstate highway system. It might not have been rocket science or going to the moon, but it has had a profound impact on the United States.

 

Right along with the interstate road-building project came a funding mechanism for maintenance, the Highway Trust Fund. States could get revenue sharing from the federal government.

 

That could change dramatically in the next decade.

 

Almost all the funding for our roads and bridges comes from taxes on fuel, currently 18.4 cents a gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents a gallon on diesel fuel. Americans pay billions of dollars to the Highway Trust Fund to build and maintain our transportation system.

 

But what happens when we are driving electric vehicles?

 

Although it is unlikely that electric and hybrid vehicles ever will exceed 20 percent of the vehicle population, we will see an increase in nonpetroleum-based vehicles on the road.

 

The new fuel economy rules require fleets to average more than 35 mpg in just a few years, something that might have seemed impossible a decade ago.

 

But with higher and higher miles per gallon, there will be less and less money for the Highway Trust Fund and for road building and repairs all across the country.

 

Meanwhile, pure electric cars will be making no contribution to the maintenance of the roads they use, and other vehicles will be paying far less in taxes.

 

It seems as if the Highway Trust Fund would be better off with all those gas guzzlers of yesterday. Those vehicles helped build the road and highway system.

 

Now is the time to consider alternative taxation to support our highway system. It's a discussion that should begin today, since Congress always seems to make less than wise choices at the last minute.

 

In a recession we naturally drive less, which also reduces fuel consumption and per-gallon taxes.

 

Between electric vehicles and the new fuel economy rules, there will be considerably less money going into the Highway Trust Fund for national and state transportation systems.

 

Imagine what would happen to the tobacco tax if everyone quit smoking.

 

 

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...6#ixzz0p5iH1cSk

[chakis24]

raise the gas tax to offset the losses. thats the easy way out.

[jro909]

its called toll booths, alot of states do it to fund road repairs...illinois is the nearest to me that does and there roads still suck ass...electric cars won't ever take over here its far too expensive for the average american in this economy to buy a rolling microwave, the idea looks great on paper but by the time it catches on, we will all be dust probably....

[unit731]

its called toll booths, alot of states do it to fund road repairs...illinois is the nearest to me that does and there roads still suck ass...electric cars won't ever take over here its far too expensive for the average american in this economy to buy a rolling microwave, the idea looks great on paper but by the time it catches on, we will all be dust probably....

 

 

I agree, money has got to come from some place if any of these electric vehicles take off or if total revenues drop.

 

I just drove across country. New York was the worst. $18.45 ( if my memory is correct) to go through the length of the NY turnpike (RT 90).

[Wingnut]

its called toll booths, alot of states do it to fund road repairs...illinois is the nearest to me that does and there roads still suck ass...electric cars won't ever take over here its far too expensive for the average american in this economy to buy a rolling microwave, the idea looks great on paper but by the time it catches on, we will all be dust probably....

 

It looks great on paper, and it'll look great for the environment. No, I'm not talking about global warming, let's not get into that nonsense. Electric cars will be a good thing, and I'd put a LOT of money on a bet that they'll be the dominant sellers within my lifetime. They just make more sense.

 

They're too expensive...NOW. But they're making breakthroughs in storage capacity, lighter materials, and power all the time. They'll get faster, stronger, and cheaper really fast...Once the right tech hits it's stride, they'll take off like gangbusters. And I can't wait. 1) Gas will get cheaper for my "antiques" 2) In my opinion, they will be better for the environment and a BIG 3) I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF 100% TORQUE FROM ONE RPM ON UP! Drag racing is going to get BONKERS when this stuff goes big time.

 

Bitching about road maintenance and gas taxes seems like a monumentally stupid argument for not liking electric cars. They'll just up the fees/taxes on annual registration/tag renewal or roll it into inspections or something similar. Won't be hard, and it won't be more than you're currently paying annually for taxes on your gas.

[C. Charles Hahn]

and a BIG 3) I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF 100% TORQUE FROM ONE RPM ON UP! Drag racing is going to get BONKERS when this stuff goes big time.

 

You think GM is applying the Torque Management bad now? Just wait.

 

 

Wonder how long before we get kW Tuners software to modify them

[jro909]

the energy for the microwave car is going to be coming from dirty sources for the majority of the juice, second the poor of america(which i might add is the majority it seems in this economy) can barely afford to put gas in their current bucket, how can they afford a battery mobile if they can't afford a semi-decent used car, third wheres the batterys going to go when they take die? don't say recycle because the fee as of now for a dead car battery is already rape, imagine a battery the size of a TV...i can't see a battery outliving a fossil fuel powered motor, hell we can't even perfect a rechargeable double A that can live more then a month in a remote....nobody how hard we try, america alone cannot save the enviroment and good luck convincing 2nd and third world countrys to give up their somewhat shreds of comfort to be green..if i was living in a 2nd or 3rd world country i sure as shit would not give up my coal powered electricity just to say i'm doing my part

[Nick The Great]

Don't worry. The gov't is good at finding ways to collect tax monies.

[shane9999]

I think government should help in raising fund for highway of electric cars.

[jro909]

I think government should help in raising fund for highway of electric cars.

 

 

i also think the goverment should pay me to go the strip clubs and drink....if you diden't know goverment money comes from us lol so if you want the goverment to fund anything, you my as well just start paying more taxes lol

[Matt_]

there was a time when the automobile was only for the "wealthy". they said that its not feasible for the average family to own one.

 

there was a time when air travel was only for the privilaged few. now look at it and the air travel system that was developed in a SHORT period of time.

 

simple people hate technological advances. there will always be nay sayers.

when the technology is ready, it will be great and revolutionize our lives (well... probably 50 years from now).

[Wingnut]

I think government should help in raising fund for highway of electric cars.

 

 

i also think the goverment should pay me to go the strip clubs and drink....

 

 

 

I like where your head is at.