Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 18:28:50 -0500
From: Ted White <twhite8 at cox.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Metro is 30
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

Lawhorn, William - BLS wrote:

> > From the mind of  Ted:
>  The incursion of higher-gas-mileage hybrid cars already has a
>  number of state legislatures (notably California's, but also
>  Virginia's) considering taxing us on our *mileage* to make up for
>  the money theoretically "lost at the pump."  Expect to see a lot
>  of odometer failures if this becomes law.
>
>  The scary part is that as they begin to implement a milage tax, you
>  will see double taxation for non-hybrid, nonelectric vehicles.  They
>  will pay the gas and milage taxes.  Why?  Because someone will try to
>  simplify the process by taxing all milage the same but not bring a
>  corresponding decrease in gas taxes.  Which coupled with states
>  trying to get the milage tax from where a vehicle was driven not just
>  where it is registered.  I expect odometers failure/tampering fines
>  will be increased as well, to the point where it is only efficient
>  for a few people to "cheat".

Modern speedometers/odometers are no longer driven by a cable from the
left front wheel.  Indeed, they are not driven by a cable or mechanical
device of any kind.  Instead, a sensor is located in the transmission
and it sends signals by wire to the dashboard unit.  As an electrical
circuit, it is more prone to failure -- which can occur at any point
between the dashboard and the transmission, but usually happens *in* the
transmission, which is a very expensive job to fix (involving as it does
removing the engine in order to remove the transmission, in order to
open it up).

Imagine the possibilities.

--Ted White