Xavier Becerra Weighs California Mileage Tax Proposal
The gubernatorial candidate is considering a potential per-mile fee to replace traditional state gas taxes.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Should states replace gas taxes with per-mile fees to fund road repairs?
Gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra has expressed openness to implementing a mileage-based tax for drivers in California. The proposed fee structure aims to address long-term road maintenance funding gaps as electric vehicle adoption reduces revenue from traditional fuel taxes.
Why it matters
State officials are currently finalizing a study on replacing gas taxes with a vehicle-miles-traveled fee to ensure consistent road funding. Because electric vehicle owners do not pay fuel taxes, policymakers are searching for new methods to fund infrastructure maintenance.
A vehicle-miles-traveled fee could cost drivers between 6 and 9 cents per mile, according to estimates from Assemblyman Carl DeMaio. For a driver logging 15,000 miles annually, this equates to an estimated $900 in yearly costs.
The players
Xavier Becerra
He is currently a candidate for governor of California.
Carl DeMaio
He is a California assemblyman who has provided estimates for potential mileage fees.
The details
The proposal seeks to create a sustainable revenue stream for road maintenance that remains independent of vehicle fuel types. While California included a mileage-based pilot program in 2018 under Senate Bill 1, local attempts to implement similar measures have faced significant pushback, such as the 2021 abandonment of a fee in San Diego County.
Timeline
California included a mileage fee pilot in SB 1 in 2018.
San Diego County officials abandoned a local fee effort in 2021.
Xavier Becerra discussed the mileage tax proposal in October 2026.
Roadmap
The transition toward a mileage-based fee reflects the automotive industry's shift away from internal combustion engines toward electric vehicles. This move represents a structural change in how states aim to capture revenue from drivers as gas tax proceeds decline globally.
Drivers could face significantly higher annual costs if a per-mile fee is enacted, with estimates suggesting an additional $900 burden for those traveling 15,000 miles yearly. This would represent a major shift in household transportation budgeting compared to current gasoline consumption costs.
The takeaway
The debate over mileage-based taxation underscores the challenge of maintaining aging road infrastructure in an era of vehicle electrification. Drivers should monitor state legislative updates to understand how future transportation funding might affect their annual personal travel costs.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape for zero-emission transportation at California Electric Vehicles.
Live Poll
Should states replace gas taxes with per-mile fees to fund road repairs?
