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Comment by whateveracct | Hacker News Reader

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whateveracct·

those gasoline taxes currently pay for roads. and EVs put more strain on roads due to their increased weight.

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ICE vs EV difference is negligible compared to 18 wheelers and alike on road strain.

And 18 wheelers pay a lot more road tax than passenger cars do.

It's hard to say, considering studies attribute 50% to 98% of road wear to them.

EVs have heavier batteries and ICEs have heavier engines and drivetrains. Go compare two similar models at most brands and the curb weight will be within 50-100kg. Add in a full tank of gas to the ICE and the will likely weigh about the same.

I guess it's increased/comparable weight + lack of gas tax. There's definitely something thrown off by EVs and the suggestion to tax charging EVs specifically makes sense.

> EVs put more strain on roads due to their increased weight

Only if you trade in a gasoline SUV for an electric SUV. A hatchback EV weighs about as much as a compact SUV, and is cheaper to buy and operate.

Right, but it's not apples to apples. And what about all those people driving ICE sedans?

What about them? 10 years ago the best-selling vehicle in the US was a sedan. Today it's a pickup truck. Nobody said boo about road damage. It's a made-up reason to hate on EVs.

Well if you scroll up to my original point re: gas tax paying for roads, it's not really the same thing.

Because trucks also used more gas. EVs don't.

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