And I do not mean big block Chevy V-8.
1 Like
My company vehicle already is a RAT. Too hard braking, hard acceleration, no seatbelt.
The first 2 I guess they expect me to get into an accident. Hard braking, well there is damn near 8 million people in DFW metroplex. Hard acceleration, guessing they haven’t seen some of the short on ramps. Seatbelt, well from the end of the street where the mailbox is to my house in a cul-de-sac 100 yards is too much, I might get ejected should I get in an accident in the high speed I take down the street.
I remember the first iteration we had of them. The system didn’t have George Bush to 30 yet so they had some of our guys going 75 in a 30. It would default to neighborhoods off 30 in Rowlett.
3 Likes
It can’t be too hard to find and disconnect the antenna the rat-out device uses.
2 Likes
In the process, you may also wind up disabling:
- automatic firmware updates for various computerized functions
- navigation system features such as traffic or map updates
- WiFi hotspot
- any features requiring a subscription (big boo!) with the exception of satellite radio
2 Likes
You say this like these are negatives, but they read more like positives. 
3 Likes
Wonder if it measures lateral g’s. As in all the vectors were wrong when you went through that curve. Disconnect that antenna and all your warranties go void. Probably has some kind of tamper proof system - both hrdwr and sftwr. Somewhere in all the paperwork you signed is some kind of “eula” like thing - you own the hrdwr but the sftwr that runs it is (only) licensed.
Wrap a ground wire around the antenna and turn of your c-phone off. Turn on the gps spoofer and go have some fun.
Next up - mommy gov will send you a bill for “road usage”.
1 Like
Gonna be a requirement to make up for all the lost gas tax in the electric revolution, no?
Already being proposed in congress
1 Like
EVs already phone home with all their telemetry…so mileage is likely just a part of that e-package (giggity).
3 Likes
No rats in my cars, did find the remains of baby squirrels in a taillight well and chewed wiring in the wife’s mini.
3 Likes
Texas implemented a $200/yr premium on EV registrations already. Reasonable for all automobiles to pay road tax, but it’s a markedly greater amount than a typical ICE vehicle pays in gas tax.
Otherwise I’d be in favor of a flat ton-mile tax for all motor vehicles.
1 Like
I see what you did there…
3 Likes
I call BS on that. It depends upon…
- how many miles you drive
- your fuel economy
From https://www.dot.state.tx.us/ttf2011/Presentations/GasTaxPlacemat.pdf
That average driver is paying $8.76 per month in Federal tax, for a total of $219.36 per year.
An EV typically weighs more than an equivalent ICE one so arguably they should be paying more for road maintenance.
1 Like
This will not lead to anything good…
1 Like
Here’s the math on how $0.20/gallon state gas tax works out across a range of efficiencies and annual mileage:
| MPG | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Miles | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 |
| 6,000 | $120.00 | $80.00 | $60.00 | $48.00 | $40.00 | $34.29 | $30.00 |
| 8,000 | $160.00 | $106.67 | $80.00 | $64.00 | $53.33 | $45.71 | $40.00 |
| 10,000 | $200.00 | $133.33 | $100.00 | $80.00 | $66.67 | $57.14 | $50.00 |
| 12,000 | $240.00 | $160.00 | $120.00 | $96.00 | $80.00 | $68.57 | $60.00 |
| 14,000 | $280.00 | $186.67 | $140.00 | $112.00 | $93.33 | $80.00 | $70.00 |
| 16,000 | $320.00 | $213.33 | $160.00 | $128.00 | $106.67 | $91.43 | $80.00 |
| 20,000 | $400.00 | $266.67 | $200.00 | $160.00 | $133.33 | $114.29 | $100.00 |
| 22,000 | $440.00 | $293.33 | $220.00 | $176.00 | $146.67 | $125.71 | $110.00 |
| 24,000 | $480.00 | $320.00 | $240.00 | $192.00 | $160.00 | $137.14 | $120.00 |
| 26,000 | $520.00 | $346.67 | $260.00 | $208.00 | $173.33 | $148.57 | $130.00 |
| 28,000 | $560.00 | $373.33 | $280.00 | $224.00 | $186.67 | $160.00 | $140.00 |
| 30,000 | $600.00 | $400.00 | $300.00 | $240.00 | $200.00 | $171.43 | $150.00 |
13,500 miles/year looks to be national average. You either have to have an incredibly inefficient vehicle or a drive a hell of a lot to be paying more than $200 a year in state gas tax.
A ton-mile tax for all vehicles solves this problem neatly, although the brodozer crowd would complain something fierce.
1 Like
Quoting only the state tax is not fair as there is no way to opt out of paying the federal tax.
EVs also get other benefits such as free charging in some places, use of HOV lanes by a single occupant and special parking spots not related to charging. Crimea River…
I oppose per mile taxing as that makes all roads into toll roads.
Speaking of, do people realize they are paying more for the toll than the fuel to drive on that road?
1 Like
To offset this obviously unfair advantage, I park my ICE in spots dedicated to charging every chance I get. Sometimes when I am not even shopping some but am bored and have nothing better to do.
1 Like
That’s the basis for comparison in Texas for ICE vs EV drivers on state taxation. Full stop.
HOV lanes seem to have largely metamorphosed into express lanes a ~decade ago. And at a glance, neither EVs nor hybrids are given special access.
Best I can tell the rest are wholly independent of any benevolence on the part of the state’s road tax.
You already pay per-mile via fuel tax. It’s just:
- Highly variable due to vehicle efficiency
- Insufficient to pay for road maintenance and has been for decades
2 Likes
And that is why a special charge on EVs is not only necessary, but it is fair.
1 Like
I don’t disagree that the free ride on road tax should end, simply that the fee is not proportional to what ICE vehicles are generally paying.
2 Likes