The State of Utah is tracking the movements of electric cars as a means of compensating for gas tax revenue.
Much of the money that funds state roads comes from taxes on the fuel people pump into their vehicles. By not using carbon- or ethanol-based fuels, users of electric cars are not taxed - but still benefit from the use of state roads.
As a solution, the Utah Legislature has implemented trackers that log the cars’ movements and bill the owner one-and-one-half cents for every mile driven. This solution raised concerns about privacy and security, as drivers worried a breach in the security of the accompanying app might put users’ data at risk. Utah’s Department of Transportation assured the public that their data is secure.
Drivers also have the option to opt out of the tracker and pay a flat rate annually.
