Oregon Mulls Mileage, Not Gas, Tax

It protects our highways, creates jobs, and aids the planet

(NEWSER) - The federal gas tax—18.4 cents per gallon—is due to expire Sept. 30. For the sake of our infrastructure, our economy, and our environment, we can’t let that happen, write the editors of the New York Times . Its expiration “would bankrupt the already stressed Highway Trust Fund, with devastating effects on the country’s highways, bridges, mass transit systems, and the economy as a whole.” Yet word is that some House Republicans are looking end the tax, which hasn’t risen since 1993—or are considering using it “as leverage in the budget wars.” More»

Recession, stimulus shrink tax rate to 60-year-low

(NEWSER) - You wouldn't know it from the clamor of anti-tax protests, but Americans turned over a lower share of their income to the taxman last year than at any time since the Truman administration, according to a USA Today analysis. State, local, and federal taxes took up 9.2% of income last year, the lowest proportion since 1950 and well below the average of 12% over the last 50 years. More»

Those who drive on congested roads at peak hours will pay more

(AP) - The Dutch government plans to bring the polluter-pays principle into the home garage. Rather than an annual road tax for their cars, drivers will soon pay a small sum for every mile on the road—a plan aimed at breaking chronic traffic jams and cutting carbon emissions. GPS devices installed in cars will track the time, hour, and place each car moves and send the data to a billing agency. More»

(NEWSER) - Toyota plans to keep its lead in the environmentally friendly vehicle market with a new car to be released in 2011, Bloomberg reports. The vehicle, to be based on the company's Vitz compact, will be around 5% more fuel-efficient than its Prius and will sell for around $15,600, according to reports in Japanese media. The company plans to market the car in Japan, the US, and Europe. More»

(NEWSER) - GM held a triumphant press conference this morning, announcing that, using newly devised EPA methodology, its 2011 Chevy Volt will get a whopping 230 miles per gallon in city driving, by far the highest fuel efficiency rating ever. No car has ever so much as sniffed 100mpg before; the Prius gets 51. But there’s ample cause for skepticism, Cars.com blogger David Thomas explains. More»