Actually gas is more progressive because gas consumption has a direct relationship to torque applied to the road surface thus causing wear and tear. Per mile is totally regressive. Stupid liberals. Why should a compact 1.5 ton car pay the same as a 3-4 ton truck.
Excellent point. I wonder if there will be a varying tax grade per the size of the vehicle?
They won't. They will (and do) have weight classes.
torque applied to the road surface —
Do you mean torque, or load/pressure?
Rolling tires apply pressure, which increases with weight of vehicle plus its load.
Accelerating or braking tires apply a different force. Faster accelerating or harder breaking ‘pushes’ harder on the pavement.
So a smaller car, if it accelerates hard, will also affect the pavement. Electric cars have high torque motors and can accelerate quickly.
All vehicles can brake quite effectively, stressing the pavement, especially approaching stop sign.
I suggest that vehicle weight alone is not a way to discriminate for ‘fairness’ in per mile charge. Maybe hp per lb of vehicle weight should be included.
And for some /s, how do we charge hitchhikers’ foot traffic and homeless’ bicycles?
“Why should a compact 1.5 ton car pay the same as a 3-4 ton truck.”
I’ve got news for you they don’t today. They are called “weight fees” in most states. If you have commercial plates on your vehicle, you pay them, and they apply whether or not you drive one mile.