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Comment by micromacrofoot | Hacker News Reader

tax consumer vehicles based on weight! it's long overdue, put it on an exponential scale and demolish anyone that's buying these monstrosities

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It seems that taxing by axel weight to the 4th power times by miles driven -- which is thus relative to how much damage is caused -- seems sensible.

An 2600lb Nissan Micra would cost say 1c per mile and a 4100lb F150 would cost 6c per mile.

Unintended consequence: Ford adds another rear axle to the F150.

A lot of bridge tolls are by axle count, so there's pressure not to increase those.

This would reduce the gas mileage negating whatever tax savings there were as well as increase maintenance. This would also damage the roads less.

My original comment was kinda ridiculous and was not worthy of a serious response ;) But, to respond to this more seriously, the people I personally know who drive gigantic trucks would most likely be proud of their reduced gas mileage. They already deliberately drive a 15mpg vehicle primarily for grocery pickup.

> tax consumer vehicles based on weight!

This essentially does exist in an urban environment due to fuel taxes. Still open debate if they're appropriately set (high/low) or if they funnel to the correct hands.

In an urban environment (excluding hybrids and electric vehicles) the weight will directly correlate with gas consumed. More weight -> more gas, more gas -> more taxes paid

yes, gas prices are kept artificially low... but I think weight tax is an easier sell than gas tax

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