Electric Vehicle Owners Fuel States’ Search for Road and Bridge Funding Alternatives
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In Portland, Oregon, Timothy Taylor experienced the frustration of dealing with deep potholes near his house, one of which caused $1,000 in damage to his car's suspension. Oregon transportation officials are warning of worsening road conditions due to insufficient funding, especially as gas tax revenues decrease with the rise in electric and fuel-efficient vehicles. The transition to electric vehicles, while beneficial for reducing emissions, poses a challenge for states that rely on gas tax revenue for infrastructure maintenance. States like California and Oregon are implementing climate goals that include transitioning to zero-emission vehicles by 2035, which will further impact gas tax revenues. In Pennsylvania, a significant drop in gas tax revenue has already been observed. The Oregon Department of Transportation is facing a budget shortfall of over $350 million due to factors such as inflation and declining gas tax revenues.

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