FAQs

A road usage charge (RUC) is a transportation funding model wherein all drivers are assessed a fee based on the number of miles they drive, rather than on how much gas they consume.

The revenues currently available for state highways and local roads may not be sufficient to preserve and maintain existing infrastructure, reduce congestion, and improve service. The gas tax cannot meet current and long-term transportation funding needs because it continues to generate less revenue as cars become more fuel-efficient or use alternative fuels.

Studies show that by 2030, as much as half of the gas tax revenue that could be collected will be lost to fuel efficiency. States need to explore more sustainable transportation funding models, like RUC, to generate adequate revenue to support their road maintenance and improvement needs.

Raising the gas tax only offers a short-term solution to funding roadway maintenance and operations. Revenues will continue to decline on a per-mile basis as vehicles continue to become increasingly more fuel-efficient and more consumers transition to all electric, hybrid, or alternative fuels vehicles that pay little-to-no gas tax.

The impact on roads created by light duty cars and trucks, from small compacts to large pickups, is uniform for all vehicles. A 2007 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) report found that vehicles weighing between 2,000 and 7,000 lbs. produce the same wear and tear on our roads. Whether you drive a 2,500 lb. Toyota Prius or a 6,500 lb. Hummer, there is no significant difference in the impact these vehicles have on a typical highway.

Many states implement weight-mile taxes for large, commercial freight trucks based on the number of axles, vehicle weight, and miles traveled. The federal government has estimated that a 40-ton, 18-wheel truck with a max payload causes the same damage as 9,600 midsize cars. This helps ensure that heavier vehicles pay their fair share for the additional wear and tear they inflict on our roadways.

RUC America is the foremost authority on road usage charging in the United States, bringing together leaders from multiple state transportation organizations to share resources and explore innovative funding solutions for preserving the future of our transportation network.

All vehicles, regardless of fuel source, cause wear and tear to our roads and contribute to roadway congestion. A road usage charge would place a fee on the number of vehicle miles traveled rather than fuel consumed, allowing electric, hybrids, and other fuel-efficient vehicles to pay their fair share to maintain the roads. Although the payment method is different, the road usage charge is based on the same principle as a gas tax which corresponds to miles driven.

The impact varies based on individual circumstances. Studies show that, in general, hybrid and electric vehicles tend to be more expensive and more likely to be purchased by individuals in higher income brackets. Drivers of such vehicles pay little or no gas tax even though they still contribute wear and tear to the roads, while those who drive older and less fuel-efficient vehicles currently pay more because they purchase more fuel. A road usage charge can spread the cost to maintain and operate roads more equitably across all drivers.

Studies show that rural households typically pay more gas tax per mile driven as they tend to own vehicles with lower fuel efficiency than urban and suburban households. Under a road usage charge system, they would potentially pay the same amount per mile driven as owners of higher fuel efficiency vehicles, so the cost to pay for roads could be shared by all drivers more equitably. In every state, the actual impact on individual households may depend on various circumstances.