DRIVERS are grappling with a potential road law that could monitor driving habits via GPS, in turn, to save money.
A new highway law is considering changing gas tax codes as drivers switch to more fuel-efficient vehicles.
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Michigan lawmakers are looking for potential solutions as the U.S. embarks on a complete shift in transportation technology.
State governments have relied on gas tax revenue to fund road construction projects for decades.
However, as more hybrid and electric vehicles are on the road, tax collections at the pump are slowly decreasing.
Furthermore, EVs and partially electrified vehicles are assembled with heavy batteries.
Studies show that electrified vehicle transmissions put more pressure on roads.
To maintain the roads, the state is looking at financing solutions that are not tied to gas purchases, according to Detroit station ABC. W X Y Z.
Lawmakers floated the idea of tracking how much drivers spend on the state’s roads.
Tracking can be based on the miles placed on a car’s odometer in a calendar year.
Other drivers have proposed GPS systems to help with tracking.
Several drivers gave the television station mixed reviews about the potential policy.
“I would like [the GPS policy] because I’m retired,” Rose Danielak told the station.
“I don’t drive a lot, but when I do, I have to fill up. I mean, it’s crazy.”
However, drivers have expressed concerns about privacy in their vehicles.
Vehicle consumers have complained that GPS data tracking has caused some drivers to pay higher insurance rates.
“I’m worried that this opens up a lot of issues and privacy because now they know where you are,” Rob Macgregor said.
Electric vs gas vehicles
Pros and cons of electric vehicles versus gasoline-powered vehicles
EV PROS:
- Convenient (when charging at home)
- Cheapest (depending on the state or city)
- Cheaper maintenance due to lack of mechanical parts
- Great for commuting
- Reduced CO2 emissions
- Federal and state tax incentives
- More performance (speed, handling – depending on make and model)
EV CONS:
- Higher initial cost
- Higher Insurance Rates
- More frequent tire and brake replacement intervals
- Higher tare weight (thus causing faster wear on crucial parts)
- Low resale value
- High depreciation rates
- Lack of charging infrastructure
- Unreliable public loading (related: slow loading times)
- Poor performance in winter and summer
- Lack of clean energy alternatives means more “dirty energy” from coal and nuclear sources
- Range anxiety
PROS OF GAS:
- Highly developed refueling infrastructure
- Fast replenishment
- Cheapest insurance rates depending on make, model and configuration
- Established repair industry
- Lower initial cost
- Greater range before refueling, especially with hybrids
- Many manufacturers produce engines with almost fewer emissions
- Cheaper refueling depending on location
PROS OF GAS:
- Finite resource (related: heavy dependence on oil)
- Carbon emissions/greenhouse gases
- Higher repair costs
- Higher insurance rates depending on make, model and configuration
- Varied costs at the pump depending on the state, city and municipality
Source: Driver, Perch Energy, Automatic Week
“[They know] how fast you’re driving and clearly that would eventually get back to the insurance companies and end up having that information.”
Other drivers said they agree with data tracking – they believe it is already happening on cell phones.
Another driver said tracking would benefit his schedule.
“Honestly, I’m a small business owner and I have to track my mileage, so this would be really helpful if I didn’t have to track it myself,” Taylor Miller-Goulait told the publication.
“I have an iPhone, so they are already tracking everything I do.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
