What happened: Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, during a Feb. 15 meeting with the Louisiana Electric Vehicle Task Force, recommended the state test a mileage-based user fee program using state-owned vehicles. Sec. Wilson said the estimated 4,000 vehicles taking part in the program would continue paying gas taxes while collecting data for the purposes of implementing a mileage-based user fee.
Why it Matters: A Sep. 2022 report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) found that the state’s transportation trust fund would lose $532 million between 2023-2032 because of higher vehicle fuel efficiency. Additional information released by the LLA cited that road usage fees would need to range from $116 per year for internal combustion vehicles to $271 per year for electric in order to meet current transportation infrastructure needs.