A road-usage charging (RUC) pilot programme to charge motorists based on their mileage is about to begin in Hawaii, with electric vehicle (EV) owners set to be part of the first test run.
Ed Sniffen, director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation, said the pilot is part of an effort to move away from a gas tax in order to fund highways.
“For us, it shouldn’t matter what kind of fuel you’re using. When you’re using the road system, the impacts are on the miles that you drive,” Sniffen explained.
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“We wanted to make sure that we put together a system that’s more equitable for everybody. We shouldn’t be charging you for sitting in congestion. We shouldn’t be charging you for the different types of fuel use,” he added.
EV drivers in Hawaii can opt into the pilot programme, which will start in 2025. Sniffen said all EVs will be charged under the system by 2028, with the full plan set to move forward by 2033.
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