Greenies not paying fair share for our roads.

Thousands of Granite Staters are driving hybrid, electric or alternative-fuel vehicles as a way to save money and protect the environment.

And new CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards are boosting fuel economy for gas-powered cars and light trucks.

But one unintended consequence is that the gas-tax revenues that fund the roads and bridges are decreasing, in New Hampshire and across the nation.

Now there's a growing consensus among state leaders that New Hampshire should find a way to ensure all drivers are paying their fair share.

Michael Pillsbury is deputy commissioner of the state Department of Transportation. He described the problem of highway maintenance: "It takes the same effort as it did a number of years ago, it costs more and revenues are stagnant."

In the New Hampshire Constitution, the state's gas tax is called the "road toll." The state collects 18 cents per gallon from distributors, and dealers add that cost to the price paid at the pump, Pillsbury said.

The system worked just fine for a long time, he said.

"The nice thing about a gas tax is it is a user fee," he said. "If you don't drive very much, you don't pay a tax. If you drive a lot, you pay more because you're using the roads more."

But what happens if your vehicle uses biodiesel, electricity or compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of gasoline? You still use roads and bridges; you're just not helping to pay for them.

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130908/NEWS06/130909411

Well, I just think it's time to add another tax!!!! When they register their cars, they should pay extra just like you had to do if you have a diesel car. When you register a diesel car you paid quite a big more because it was a diesel.

I agree. Why should they have a free ride when we can't even afford to fix our roads and bridges.