... overweight people in their overweight EVs, tearing up our roads -

Great to see Jalopnik mentioned here. Neither that article nor its Arstechnica similar mentioned toad damage by much larger commercial trucks. This is certainly the elephant in the room.

Substantial research finds that road damage varies by the 4th power of axle weight. Assessing and levying fees for road damage road damage could certainly be done, quantitatively and fairly (axle weights and odometers). That approach was not described by Jalopnik nor Arstechnica.

 

The difference between an ICE car and an EV won't be noticed to a road designed for commercial trucks. Rain might cause more wear than that difference.

 

Some heavy examples:

The Heaviest Cars, SUVs, and Trucks on the Road - Klipnik
List of The 15 Heaviest Cars in The World (With Images)
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2019/10/10/the-most-massive-cars-on-the-road/

At least one EV is listed.

 

It seems odd to invoke overweight people in this discussion. A factor not clearly linked to EV operators, does not consider how many on board, and leaves non-human cargo unmentioned.

But now with rain (one of MY favorite things) invoked as 'might', it no longer stands alone as peculiar.

Ya wan na a planet without rain? Try Arrakis.

 

glad to see they will be taxing those overweight prius drivers

 

Pennsylvania classifies those heavy, full size SUVs as station wagons to let them slide on paying higher truck registration fees.

Rain was an example that covers most of the country. The freeze-thaw cycle of places with real winter will do more damage than slightly heavier cars.

 

we need a tax on mother nature