Will 2025 be the year of pay-by-mile?

For over twelve years, Washington State has been exploring a pay-by-mile system to address the diminishing effectiveness of gas taxes in funding road maintenance. As fuel efficiency improves and electric vehicle usage rises, the need for a stable funding source has become critical. The proposed system would charge drivers approximately $0. 024 per mile, reflecting average gas tax expenditures. Lawmakers are expected to prioritize discussions on this initiative in the next legislative session, with potential implementation by 2025.

This new model aims to distribute road maintenance costs more equitably, particularly since electric vehicles do not contribute to gas tax revenues. WSTC Executive Director Reema Griffith stressed the importance of transitioning from testing phases to a real-world program. The goal is to establish a Road Usage Charge (RUC) by 2035, allowing for a dual collection phase where both the gas tax and RUC coexist temporarily, ensuring sustainable funding for Washington's road infrastructure.