More fuel-efficient autos on the road mean less gas tax revenue and that, unfortunately, could mean Californians will have to pay a mileage tax monitored by GPS tracking devices. The program, similar to one tested in both Oregon and Washington, will launch in January 2016 and use volunteers.
The bill gives agencies like the California Transportation agency authorization to track vehicle miles using GPS and then bill the owner of the vehicle based on miles driven. Oregon’s test program limits who can access the data and requires it’s destroyed within 30 days of use.
When the pilot beings in Oregon drivers will be taxed 1.5 cents. Although the rates for California’s program haven’t been specified, it will likely fall between 0.9 and 2.2 cents per mile.