Electric cars could be allowed on more Colorado roads

subscribe

Colorado lawmakers are considering allowing small, slow electric cars on more roadways to reduce pollution and gasoline dependance.

The Senate gave initial backing to a measure (Senate Bill 75) that would allow the cars on state highways with speed limits of 35 mph or less. Currently the cars, which can go up to 25 mph, are allowed on roads that aren't state highways or don't cross one.

The bill would allow the vehicles to cross state highways with speed limits above 35 mph.

Bill sponsor Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, said some citizens in her town use the cars, equipped with snow tires, for errands and to take their children to school. She said families could use the cars, which start at $9,000, as an alternative to a traditional second car.

"Why drive 5,000 pounds to the grocery store for some milk?" Schwartz asked.

The vehicles would have to meet federal safety standards. Owners would have to pay to register them, including increased fees signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter.

Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, said electric cars were getting a free ride because owners don't pay gasoline taxes that help fund road construction and maintenance. He proposed imposing a surcharge for all electric cars, including upcoming, faster models like the Chevy Volt, based on estimates of how many miles they'll be driven.

Revenue from the state gas tax, last raised in 1991, hasn't kept up with the cost of road repairs partly because cars are more fuel efficient.

Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, said the state needs to find an alternative to the gas tax but should still promote electric cars as a way to reduce reliance on foreign oil. He said one possibility is to swap the gas tax for a state sales tax, an idea proposed by former Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez.

Meanwhile, Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, said she planned to reintroduce an alternative — charging people based on how many miles they drive.

The idea originally was included in the bill that raised car registration fees and opened the door to tolling on existing roads. It was yanked following opposition from rural lawmakers. They said their constituents would pay more because they drive longer distances.

Williams said a pilot program would track how many miles people drive but not where they're driving.

Related News

broken power lines

Canadian Scientists say power utilities need to adapt to climate change

TORONTO - The increasing intensity of storms that lead to massive power outages highlights the need for Canada’s electrical utilities to be more robust and innovative, climate change scientists say.

“We need to plan to be more resilient in the face of the increasing chances of these events occurring,” University of New Brunswick climate change scientist Louise Comeau said in a recent interview.

The East Coast was walloped this week by the third storm in as many days, with high winds toppling trees and even part of a Halifax church steeple. Nova Scotia Power says it has weathered nine storm days so…

READ MORE

UK homes can become virtual power plants to avoid outages

READ MORE

extreme weather affects grid

Longer, more frequent outages afflict the U.S. power grid as states fail to prepare for climate change

READ MORE

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi seeks investors to build hydrogen-export facilities

READ MORE

Brazil tax strategy to bring down fuel, electricity prices seen having limited effects

READ MORE