Activists propose that electric car drivers should pay a fee per kilometer driven
Do you own an electric car? Then you should pay a special tax for every kilometer driven. This is exactly the solution proposed by British activists to address the issue that electric cars do not contribute to the maintenance and construction of new roads.
Increasing numbers of electric vehicles on roads around the world are raising many new questions that previously did not need to be addressed. One of these is the fact that electric vehicles currently do not contribute funds to the construction and maintenance of infrastructure in the same way that vehicles with internal combustion engines do.
While traditional automobiles with internal combustion engines contribute to these costs through fuel taxes, electric vehicles, which do not require gasoline or diesel, are exempt from this obligation. This fact leads to a growing debate between experts and activists who are calling for the introduction of per-mile charges for electric vehicle owners to compensate for the loss of fuel tax revenue.
A group of activists, represented by the Campaign for Better Transport organization, proposes that electric vehicle drivers start to pay a fee for every kilometer they drive. This fee should ensure fair distribution of the costs of maintaining and building road infrastructure, which remains essential regardless of the type of vehicle propulsion.
Currently, roads and transport infrastructure are primarily funded through fuel taxes, which constitute a significant revenue for state budgets. However, with the increasing number of electric vehicles on the roads, these revenues are gradually decreasing. This raises the question of how to replace the missing funds to ensure sustainable transport for future generations.
According to the activists' vision, a per-mile fee could not only help cover the costs of road maintenance but also support further investments in the development of transport infrastructure and sustainable mobility. "It is essential that every driver participates in the funding of roads, regardless of whether they drive on gasoline, diesel, or electricity," said a representative of the Campaign for Better Transport to the British server The Guardian.
However, the proposal also faces criticism. Opponents argue that the introduction of the fee could reduce the attractiveness of electric vehicles, which are seen as a key element in the fight against climate change. Moreover, the fee could unfairly burden consumers who have decided to switch to a more environmentally friendly mode of transport as part of their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.
Some experts believe that the introduction of a per-mile fee could be a fair and effective solution if it is properly set up and transparently managed. For example, it could involve different rates depending on the type of road or traffic situation to avoid overburdening drivers in urban areas.
On the other hand, some experts emphasize the need to look for other ways of funding, such as increasing taxes on higher-emission vehicles or expanding congestion charging for all vehicles, including electric ones, entering city centers. This would ensure that electric vehicles remain an affordable alternative, encouraging a shift to cleaner forms of transport. The discussion about the introduction of a per-mile fee is part of a broader debate on the future of transport and its sustainability.
With the growing share of electric vehicles in the market, it is clear that the current model of road and infrastructure funding will need to undergo changes. What specific measures will eventually be adopted will depend on political will, public opinion, and other factors that will influence the shape of transport in the coming years.
