It’s official—Oregon will impose a mandatory per-mile charge on electric cars—here’s how the new fee will work when it kicks in in 2027
Oregon is shaking up the way we think about paying for our roads. With electric cars and hybrids growing in popularity, the traditional gas tax just isn’t pulling in enough money anymore. That shortfall has left Oregon staring at a $300 million deficit—money usually set aside for repairing highways, filling potholes, and snowplowing during those icy winter months.
To close the gap, Governor Tina Kotek has put a bold plan on the table: a mandatory pay-per-mile fee. If approved, Oregon would join Hawaii as one of the first states to officially charge drivers by the mile. Starting in 2027, some electric vehicles would pay the new fee, with hybrids added in 2028. Drivers could choose between paying around 2.3 cents per mile or a flat yearly fee of $340.
It’s a big move, and it raises an even bigger question: how should transportation in the U.S. be funded in a future where gas-powered cars aren’t the majority anymore?
For decades, the gas tax has been the go-to solution for funding America’s roads. Every gallon at the pump meant more dollars for paving highways, fixing bridges, and yes, keeping those snowplows running all winter. But electric cars and hybrids don’t rely on gas, and that means less money is coming in.
In Oregon, the numbers don’t lie. The transportation budget has a $300 million hole. Tina Kotek’s proposal not only adds the pay-per-mile fee for electric vehicles but also bumps the gas tax up 6 cents, reaching 46 cents per gallon. The idea is to keep revenue steady while driving habits change.
Without new solutions, Oregon risks falling behind on basics like snowplowing and road repairs. For drivers navigating winter storms or spring potholes, that could make life a lot harder.
Oregon isn’t the first state to take this leap—Hawaii has already been testing the waters. In 2023, the Aloha State rolled out its road usage charge, giving drivers two options: pay a flat $50 fee each year, or pay $8 per 1,000 miles, capped at $50.
Right now, all electric vehicle owners in Hawaii are required to join the program, with their odometers checked during annual inspections. The goal is to include all light-duty vehicles by 2033. Everyone contributes according to how much they actually use the roads, making it a system that is intended to be equitable.
Hawaii’s model provides Oregon with a practical illustration of how pay-per-mile fees can be implemented and how they could be used to strike a balance between sustainability objectives and the necessity of funding infrastructure.
Utah and Vermont already run voluntary mileage-based programs, but Oregon is raising the stakes by making it mandatory. That could inspire other states to follow suit as electric cars and hybrids keep gaining ground. The bottom line is simple: the gas tax won’t be enough to keep highways in shape as the shift to cleaner vehicles continues.
Budgets aren’t the only issue here. Ensuring that all drivers contribute to the upkeep of the roads on which we all depend is about justice. Finding a way to encourage environmentally friendly automobiles without breaking the bank is the key to sustainability. Additionally, it’s about safety—making sure that services like snowplowing are maintained.
But of course not everyone agree on this. And Oregon’s pay-per-mile proposal under Tina Kotek could end up being a turning point. The way people pay for roads in the U.S. is changing, and this debate is only just getting started. Whether you’re in Oregon, Hawaii, Utah, or Vermont, how they fund the roads in the future will likely affect you, too.
© 2025 Blanquivioletas
© 2025 Blanquivioletas

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