EV Taxes Based on Your Odometer: Are They Really "Fair"?

As more people switch from fossil fuels to electric vehicles, governments are starting to worry about lost revenue from fuel taxes. The response? Laws that would tax EV owners based on the miles they drive.

On the surface, these taxes are framed as “fair”: EV owners should contribute to road maintenance and infrastructure. But are these charges really fair? Do they take into account the massive societal and environmental benefits of driving electric? And who truly benefits from these policies?

In this video, we break down the data, explore EV taxation programs from around the world, and take a deep dive into Oregon’s newly-signed EV tax, coming in 2027. We examine fairness, equity, and what these policies really mean for EV adoption — and for the future of cleaner transportation.

⏱️ Episode Timeline

00:00 - Introduction06:25 - Fossil Fuel Taxes: History & Purpose09:25 - EVs vs ICE: Emissions and Societal Benefits10:39 - EV Taxation: Myth vs Reality16:48 - EV Weight and Fairness Arguments19:42 - Oregon Example: Costs and Comparisons25:25 - Who Benefits? - Who wants this? The usual suspects?30:32 - What we REALLY need31:38 - Thanks, and Goodbye!

🔗 Links:

• Societal Costs and Fossil Fuel Tax Breaks (EESI) – https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-fossil-fuel-subsidies-a-closer-look-at-tax-breaks-and-societal-costs

• CBO’s Budget Calculations on Fossil Fuel Taxes (2022) – https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/58638

• IEA: Lifecycle Emissions Compared for ICE and EVs – https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/comparative-life-cycle-greenhouse-gas-emissions-of-a-mid-size-bev-and-ice-vehicle

• Benefits of EVs in Shanghai – Cost Analysis – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723084917

• Oregon Legislature: Road Usage Evaluation – https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/citizen_engagement/Reports/ODOT_IP-RoadUsageEvaluation_4-26-17.pdf

• Oregon ODOT: Road Usage Report (2024) – https://www.oregon.gov/odot/About/GR/2024_RUFTF_Report.pdf

• Oregon 2023 Biennial Zero Emission Vehicle Report – https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Documents/2023-Biennial-Zero-Emission-Vehicle-Report.pdf

👥 Today’s Sponsors🌱 Electric Vehicle Association - https://www.myeva.org/⚡ EnergySage - https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101290941-16952262

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Host: Nikki Gordon-BloomfieldCamera, Edit, Color: Vi HortonArt & Animation: Erin CarlieProducer: Nikki Gordon-BloomfieldMusic: via Artlist.io© Transport Evolved LLC, 2025