Long term this is the only way to go. Eliminate state and federal gas taxes/credits/blending requirements with ethanol etc (gas engines will last longer). Charge all vehicles a flat fee per mile driven per kilogram/mass of the vehicle (weight of vehicles, especially 18 wheelers, has a huge 'impact' on roads).

Also should end all energy subsidies/mandates for types of energy sources (nuclear, wind, solar, all of it).

One can dream.

nortex97 said:

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Long term this is the only way to go. Eliminate state and federal gas taxes/credits/blending requirements with ethanol etc (gas engines will last longer). Charge all vehicles a flat fee per mile driven per kilogram/mass of the vehicle (weight of vehicles, especially 18 wheelers, has a huge 'impact' on roads).

Also should end all energy subsidies/mandates for types of energy sources (nuclear, wind, solar, all of it).

One can dream.

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The problem is of course they'll never eliminate the gas taxes, but will happily add mileage fees if they can get away with it.

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The problem is of course they'll never eliminate the gas taxes, but will happily add mileage fees if they can get away with it.

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Once, the gas tax was more than ample to maintain the pace of road construction and maintenance. Toll roads were rare, and eventually were paid for. What changed? I hafta think it's pay and benefits to state and federal DOT employees. Most all work is now contracted out. Governments, at all levels, have an ever increasing, never ending, appetite for $$…

Teslag said:

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It depends. For some it's free for life. For others it is scalable based on peak times. Roughly around 28 cents per kWh

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Thank you for putting a price on charging.

Baseline: large SUV getting 17 MPG on the highway at real world road trip. At $3 / gallon for gas that is $0.18/mile. The petro tank cost is negligible so this cost is for the lifetime of the vehicle.

Assuming a Tesla model Y gets 3.8 miles / kWh. At $0.28 / kWh, that is $0.07 / mile.

Now need to factor in the cost of the batteries, which physically wear out and will require replacement or devalued when replacing vehicle.

Two cases: (just making these up)
Case A:
Battery life 90,000 miles
Replacement: $15,000
$0.167 / mile for the batteries.
Resulting in $0.24 / mile.

Case B:
Battery life 200,000 miles
Replacement: $10,000
$0.167 / mile for the batteries.
Resulting in $0.12 / mile.

What is the life of the batteries and the cost of replacement or devalue of vehicle at sale time? Batteries are not free to use, they wear out and must be accounted for. This cost is realized at battery replacement time or selling the vehicle with the battery value taken into account.