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https://theconversation.com/stop-the-free-ride-all-motorists-should-pay-their-way-whatever-vehicle-they-drive-262950>
"A new road charge is looming for electric vehicle drivers, amid reports
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is accelerating the policy as part of a broader
tax-reform push.
At a forum in Sydney this week, state and federal Treasury officials are
reportedly meeting with industry figures and others to progress design of the
policy, ahead of next week’s economic reform summit.
Much discussion in favour of the charge assumes drivers of electric and hybrid
vehicles don’t “pay their way”, because they are not subject to the fuel excise
tax.
This view is based on an economic misconception: that fuel taxes are justified
by the need to pay for the construction and maintenance of roads.
This is incorrect. In a properly functioning economic system, fuel taxes should
be considered a charge on motorists for the harmful pollution their vehicles
generate.
That leaves the problem of paying for roads. To that end, a road-user charge
should be applied to all motorists – regardless of the vehicle they drive – so
no-one gets a free ride."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
