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The Problem With High-Gas Mileage Cars

THE AMERICAN SPECTATOR -- There is a big problem with high-gas mileage cars -- from the point-of-view of the government.

Less revenue.

Imagine an 80 MPG car -- which could be built right now, easily, with existing technology. (Several current European models are already pretty close to the 80 MPG bar.)
Such a car could cut the average person's fuel costs by two-thirds -- in effect, putting things back the way they were circa 1986, when gasoline still cost about $1 per gallon. It would do a great deal to ease the economic pressure bearing down on the average person. But if tens of millions of Americans were suddenly using two-thirds less fuel, they'd also be paying two-thirds less in motor fuels taxes...

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Submitted May 24, 2012 By: Penny_Pincher

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BlueTucson Champion Author Syracuse Posts:2,145 Points:1,245,030 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 25, 2012 8:05:33 AM Ignore BlueTucson Report Abuse The author makes some good points. The money to maintain roads has to come from somewhere. Personally, of all the things government spends money on, I believe roads are one of the most worthwhile. There's lots of government spending I'd like to see cut, but I might even be willing to support more spending on road maintenance (especially if they include that stretch of potholes I have to drive to work on every day). How they tax is another matter. I personally believe that taxes should be visible. We should know exactly what we are paying in taxes. The current gas tax doesn't do that. I might be willing to support a mileage tax if it is calculated unobtrusively (i.e. according to mileage taken at yearly inspections as opposed to via GPS device that tracks your every move).
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,943 Points:2,112,640 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 25, 2012 7:28:29 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse makes sense - income has to come from SOMWEWHERE...
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,334 Points:693,215 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: May 25, 2012 6:54:34 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse First of all, anyone who reads an ultraright wing blog should take what they say with a huge block of salt. In the article presented they portray the fuel tax as a government conspiracy to defraud the American people. What utter rubbish! Road users should pay for the cost of roads and for years the fuel tax has been the only way to do it. Yes, there will be problems as high mileage cars allow drivers to drive more miles and pay less in tax. This will be a critical question in the years ahead. How will we pay for road maintenance and how do we charge road users fairly and what information will we need to do that? What happens if electric and natural gas-powered vehicles become a significant part of the traffic mix? One approach is the mileage tax and many States are investigating this possibility. Concerns about privacy and collected data security will have to be addressed but this tax is flexible enough that everyone, regardless of vehicle will be charged fairly. This much is clear: Good roads will be extremely important in the years to come because cars will be more more expensive to maintain and repair so the better the road, the less these costs will be. [Edited by: Houckster at 5/25/2012 7:59:13 AM EST]
bicycle1966 All-Star Author Akron Posts:605 Points:400,240 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 25, 2012 6:18:23 AM Ignore bicycle1966 Report Abuse a lot of venom out there in commenter-land
asog75 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:836 Points:277,980 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 25, 2012 6:17:01 AM Ignore asog75 Report Abuse the problem with high mpg car is the price of the car!!!
Caduceus26 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,876 Points:758,385 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: May 25, 2012 6:12:30 AM Ignore Caduceus26 Report Abuse The problem with high mileage cars is that there aren't enough of them.
GAS1251 Champion Author Texas Posts:5,128 Points:1,622,230 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: May 25, 2012 1:34:32 AM Ignore GAS1251 Report Abuse Of course at 80 mpg they'd be taxing off miles drven, using info from the little black box.
Rich1430 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:760 Points:254,170 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 11:44:42 PM Ignore Rich1430 Report Abuse It's all about the government and the money they can't do without. The more money the merrier they are. If these vehicles are built and sold here in the U.S. and you wish to own one do so at your own risk to your life and persona safety. If you have a serious or major accident with one of these beer cans on wheels there will not be much left of the vehicle and probably not much left of you either after the accident. Picture yourself being scraped off the road with a brrom and dust pan. Probably won't need a casket to bury you. This occurs daily in European Countries such as Germany on the Autobahn.
mpg611 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,306 Points:564,870 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 11:27:25 PM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse Thats your big government courtesy of the voters who think social, religious and cultural issues are most important than say ooooooooooh I dont know lower taxes, balancing the budget and increased liberties.
fajeff01 All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:649 Points:1,319,755 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:31:08 PM Ignore fajeff01 Report Abuse Of course...America has always been capitalism before democracy.
kenji554 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:1,216 Points:509,975 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:49:27 PM Ignore kenji554 Report Abuse ok
Fute Veteran Author Ontario Posts:252 Points:523,110 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 7:23:02 PM Ignore Fute Report Abuse I can't believe so many posters distrust the government this way! ;-)
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,232 Points:1,356,265 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 5:52:13 PM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse Face it, govt isn't green, they are only interested in revenue and over time will figure out how to get that out of all vehicles.
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:5,497 Points:1,355,960 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 2:38:40 PM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse There aren't more of them.
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:605,225 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 1:53:02 PM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse One of the few things that government does well is looking for ways to generate more taxes and fees. Those of you who purchased a hybrid or EV and think you have escaped the taxman's scrutiny, better think again. Several states have already moved to get you; all will follow--it's inevitable. [Edited by: GT3186 at 5/24/2012 2:53:22 PM EST]
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,463 Points:728,950 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 12:34:01 PM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse So true.
nels1jac Veteran Author Minnesota Posts:493 Points:538,780 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 11:45:10 AM Ignore nels1jac Report Abuse Which is the exact reason why we will never see a high high gas mileage car
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:13,681 Points:2,109,160 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 11:31:56 AM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse "What we'll get, instead, will be more cost and more cumbersome technology -- all nicely wrapped up in "safety" gift-wrap. In a few years, this will render new cars all-but-unaffordable." get rid of all the safety bs and just get us efficient vehicles to get from a to b that don't cost a fortune.
Jeff4U Champion Author Atlanta Posts:8,727 Points:1,848,370 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 11:13:07 AM Ignore Jeff4U Report Abuse Our governments never used gas taxes for its intended purposes anyway.
naiiawah Champion Author Boise Posts:2,370 Points:685,100 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 11:11:16 AM Ignore naiiawah Report Abuse They will just find another way to tax you.
des7902 Veteran Author Virginia Posts:385 Points:212,240 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 10:48:23 AM Ignore des7902 Report Abuse Catch 22?
schatzila Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,924 Points:1,011,645 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 10:25:25 AM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse The government will find a way to make it back.
me2002 All-Star Author Toledo Posts:763 Points:319,205 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 10:19:22 AM Ignore me2002 Report Abuse Of course the government could overcome the lost revenue from high mileage cars. How about a tax on oxygen!
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:749,880 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 10:10:48 AM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse interesting
DesertRat2011 Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,594 Points:480,945 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:52:38 AM Ignore DesertRat2011 Report Abuse I don't drive a 80 mpg car but my TDI Jetta gets 45 so is my vehicle a problem ? Not to me I love the MPG :)
aquarinut Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,628 Points:436,005 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:45:07 AM Ignore aquarinut Report Abuse Government will find other ways to get that tax revenue back.
bbchevy Veteran Author Ontario Posts:345 Points:307,290 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:41:35 AM Ignore bbchevy Report Abuse Too bad for the government.
OTISFL Champion Author Pensacola Posts:4,585 Points:860,840 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:40:14 AM Ignore OTISFL Report Abuse Sure it COULD be built but due to our lousey government it won't be.
TripleHs Champion Author Austin Posts:3,355 Points:915,140 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:37:58 AM Ignore TripleHs Report Abuse do we really need to worry about it
ObieDog Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,956 Points:847,595 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:37:52 AM Ignore ObieDog Report Abuse Not plausible. Reduced fuel costs would spur the economy and the taxes would come in through a different pocket.
BUSMAN1105 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,140 Points:1,166,105 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:26:13 AM Ignore BUSMAN1105 Report Abuse I KNOW WE HAVE THE TECH TO DO IT. THE TECH WAS BOUGHT BY THE AR MAKERS YEARS AGO SO WE COULDN'T THE GAS MILEAGE.
Wanda127 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,474 Points:910,780 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:12:37 AM Ignore Wanda127 Report Abuse This is why our current government won't let us have this technology in the U.S.!!! "But if tens of millions of Americans were suddenly using two-thirds less fuel, they'd also be paying two-thirds less in motor fuels taxes..." Vote to get America back Nov. 06, 2012!!!
gandalfthegrey1 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,184 Points:384,685 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:07:31 AM Ignore gandalfthegrey1 Report Abuse And this is why we cannot buy these cars in America.
knutzAL Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,248 Points:372,680 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:01:11 AM Ignore knutzAL Report Abuse Smaller , lighter cars will have less of an impact on roads and bridges!
Norm10 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,322 Points:161,925 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 9:00:13 AM Ignore Norm10 Report Abuse This should not be a problem!
GetMaxCashBack Veteran Author Trenton Posts:386 Points:161,925 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:59:48 AM Ignore GetMaxCashBack Report Abuse They will just charge more tax per gallon.
doggod Champion Author Anchorage Posts:2,828 Points:737,360 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:57:19 AM Ignore doggod Report Abuse Interesting slant to things.
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,722 Points:636,270 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:57:15 AM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse ok
APlus Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,893 Points:986,470 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:44:41 AM Ignore APlus Report Abuse Government will find a way around this - they will not give up $$$!!!
K9LO Champion Author North Dakota Posts:2,664 Points:539,980 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:38:39 AM Ignore K9LO Report Abuse government taxes!
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:5,713 Points:812,255 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:26:39 AM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse No doubt the government will always be able to find ways to tax us!
Ticobird Champion Author Huntsville Posts:3,205 Points:1,111,040 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:20:35 AM Ignore Ticobird Report Abuse I can appreciate the authors premise that more fuel efficient vehicles will generate less fuel tax revenue. Duh, only a moron would argue against this point. So his premise that the US government has a problem with this implies our government doesn't know how to generate replacement revenue and that is absurd. If there is anything the US government or any government for that matter knows how to do it's generate revenue. [Edited by: Ticobird at 5/24/2012 9:21:21 AM EST]
CapriceWagon All-Star Author Washington Posts:929 Points:474,770 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:16:33 AM Ignore CapriceWagon Report Abuse "Wait until the black box mandated by the current transportation bill has GPS installed and the IRS will tax you on your miles!!" I think that's pretty likely NukeAtComEd
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,049 Points:1,622,350 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:14:45 AM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse Maybe it would have to divert road funds back from the general fun. What a concept
VomVom Champion Author Calgary Posts:3,857 Points:1,627,080 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:14:33 AM Ignore VomVom Report Abuse Don't worry. The Government will find ways to make up the difference. They can easily slap a "car" tax on every new and used car transaction.
mwc407 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,095 Points:555,985 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:14:14 AM Ignore mwc407 Report Abuse Interesting article - and since the government is forcing manufacturers to increase the economy - you can bet they plan on increasing the tax rates. Wouldn't be surprised to see a seperate tax for EVs, since they effectively pay very little or no "fuel tax".
Evilmaddog Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,295 Points:952,575 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:13:50 AM Ignore Evilmaddog Report Abuse $$$$$$$
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,696 Points:1,687,825 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:09:05 AM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse We may get more cost and more cumbersome technology -- all nicely wrapped up in "safety" gift-wrap. In a few years, this will render new cars all-but-unaffordable.
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,967 Points:1,736,860 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 8:07:49 AM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse more likely now than ever.... tolls are already thru the roof.... and the roads are still falling apart... gotta get the money somewhere....
NukeAtComEd All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:725 Points:338,520 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 7:58:15 AM Ignore NukeAtComEd Report Abuse wait until the black box mandated by the current transportation bill has GPS installed and the IRS will tax you on your miles!!