Thinking beyond the gas tax, Utah launches fee per miles driven for alternative-fuel cars

Nice try! Utah becomes the second state in the U.S. to implement a vehicle miles traveled or road usage tax/fee/charge.

In the beginning it is only voluntary and limited to electrical car drivers. Sooner rather than later politicians will make it mandatory and apply it to all or most drivers.

There are many things wrong with such taxes (including the current gas tax):

1. It deviates from the ability to pay principle of taxation
2. It is a highly regressive tax, affecting lower income people more than others
3. It is a highly specialized and targeted tax as opposed to broad based tax affecting most citizens
4. It affects long distance commuters more than other commuters
5. Those who benefit from others road usage will most likely not have to pay much taxes (e.g. online shoppers)

Thinking beyond the gas tax, Utah launches fee per miles driven for alternative-fuel cars - The Salt Lake Tribune