California drivers and Republican lawmakers are up in arms over a Democrat-led proposal that could see motorists taxed for every mile they drive. With the state facing a multibillion-dollar budget deficit and gas tax revenue declining as more Californians switch to electric vehicles, Democrats are searching for new ways to fill the gap—apparently at the expense of everyday drivers.
State legislators advanced Democrat Lori Wilson’s AB 1421 on Thursday, directing the California Transportation Commission and the state Transportation Agency to study mileage-based taxes rather than implementing one immediately. Critics, however, see it as the first step toward turning citizens into cash cows.
“This per-mile tax would be on top of the highest gas taxes in the country,” Bruce Lou, a delegate for the San Francisco and state Republican Party, wrote online. “Citizens shouldn’t be treated like ATMs.” Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) called it “outrageous,” warning that a working family with two cars could end up paying $4,200 a year in combined vehicle taxes, gas taxes, and potential mileage fees—just to drive on subpar roads.
The concept under study could levy two to nine cents per mile. With Californians averaging 11,400 miles annually, that would amount to $228–$1,026 per driver, a significant burden for families and rural residents who often travel longer distances. Opponents also warn that tracking mileage could be invasive and logistically complex.
“This disproportionately hits rural residents and long-distance commuters,” Republican lawmaker Alexandra Macedo said. “This favors wealthy EV drivers over everyday Californians. We already pay the highest gas tax in the U.S. We shouldn’t be adding a mileage tax on top of it.”
Wilson, meanwhile, defended the bill, claiming it addresses the realities of declining gas tax revenue and the rise of fuel-efficient and zero-emission vehicles. She said AB 1421 would include reports analyzing equity for low-income drivers, the impact on commercial and electric vehicles, and options for implementing a road usage charge. She insisted motorists would not be double-taxed through both mileage fees and existing gas taxes.
For now, AB 1421 is a study—but for California drivers already paying sky-high gas prices and car taxes, it feels like the state is eyeing their wallets next. As Sherrie Ann Lorenzo of Chico put it, “I don’t want to be taxed for driving. It’s my freedom. I live in the home of the free, I thought.” California may need a reminder that freedom shouldn’t come with a per-mile price tag.
