Once again: Road User Charging must be universal

EV consumer group, the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) has once again insisted that any future road user charge (RUC) must be mass-multiplied, and not single out EVs. The federal Treasurer has indicated a RUC might form part of broader taxation reforms, citing declining fuel excise revenue as more effi cient vehicles enter the market.

Dr Chris Jones, National President of the AEVA says that road user charging is not a new idea, and the AEVA would welcome being part of the discussion. But if the goal is to encourage EV uptake while addressing the limitations of fuel excise, the RUC must be universal, and include vehicle weight.

“A universal, mass × distance road user charge would serve the same role as fuel excise - a pay-by-use system which is proportional to the impact driving has on society and infrastructure. EV drivers don’t have a problem with it - we just want to ensure the system is fair” says Jones.

Including vehicle mass accounts for the relative inefficiency of heavier vehicles, and would help drive sales of smaller, lighter vehicles regardless of fuel source. It also addresses the inherent inequity of a flat per-kilometer rate; where an electric motorcycle would pay the same rate as a 2.5 tonne SUV, despite causing substantially less damage to infrastructure.

Dr Jones says fuel excise could just as effectively remain in place as a  pollution tax on petrol and diesel vehicles.

Read the full media release here.