Oregon Bill Would Tax Fuel-Efficient Vehicles for Mileage

A bill that would tax energy-efficient vehicles for using the road is moving through the Oregon legislature, according to local reports.

The legislation in the house would tax drivers of cars getting at least 55 miles to the gallon 1.55 cents per mile after 2015, according to The Statesman Journal.

If drivers can’t track their miles, they could pay a flat fee each year of $542 million, the newspaper said.

The report said that the cost of the tax program would be more than it would make during the first two years.

Oregon lawmakers created a task force in 2001 to look for new revenue to counter an expected drop in gas tax receipts amid a rise in more fuel-efficient vehicles, according to the paper.

The state now collects a tax of 30 cents per gallon of gasoline. The paper said the bill would earmark the new tax money to help pay for roads.

The legislation is still in committee.

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Transportation industry Oregon
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