“Rising Concerns Surrounding the Electric Vehicle Revolution: Economic Strain, Privacy Erosion, and Surveillance Measures”
The prospect of investing upwards of $60,000 in an electric vehicle (EV) that pledges a range of 100-300 miles on a single charge appears enticing. Yet, this is merely the initial expenditure. Additional funds are required for a home charging station and electrical enhancements. Brace yourself for an additional blow, as electricity expenses are projected to surge by 30-50% within the next 24 months, all while premiums for your car insurance skyrocket.
The underlying motivation for enduring these challenges is the evasion of gas stations and, consequently, gas taxes. However, this endeavor is far from a delight. The ominous narrative unfolds in Utah and Oregon, with California poised to join the EV trend, potentially imposing severe financial strain on both families and businesses.
Utah’s strategic move involves the implementation of a “per-mile fee” aimed at EVs, enforced through government-installed GPS trackers designed to monitor every movement. Traditionally funded by gasoline taxes, the state’s road infrastructure now faces the rise of fuel-efficient and electric vehicles. Consequently, Utah’s Department of Transportation and Division of Motor Vehicles are transitioning towards this intrusive mileage-based fee structure to fund road maintenance.
For each mile driven, a charge of 1.00 cent is incurred, deducted from a prepaid account until reaching a predetermined flat fee. Participation in Utah’s Road Usage Charge program grants access to DriveSync®, a tool ostensibly intended to enhance driving safety and efficiency by tracking trips and generating driving reports.
Adding to the unsettling scenario, DriveSync® assigns a “driving score” based on factors like acceleration, braking, cornering, and overall driving behavior. The implications are reminiscent of an Orwellian reality, where a constant watch oversees every movement, including critical evaluations of driving skills, which are then displayed on a digital map.
But that’s not all. Oregon has also joined the fray, introducing the OReGO program wherein drivers are billed approximately 2 cents per mile for public road usage. As EVs continue to gain traction, Michigan contemplates the adoption of a road usage charge system involving the installation of GPS trackers in vehicles, mirroring the invasive measures employed in Utah and Oregon.
This unfolding narrative encapsulates the epitome of technocratic ambition. It addresses multiple objectives simultaneously: the gradual phasing out of conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, the creation of a novel revenue stream, and the escalation of surveillance measures to ensure strict adherence under their perpetual gaze. The resulting tableau is a sobering portrayal of the electric vehicle revolution, marked by economic pressures, encroachments on privacy, and an Orwellian ambiance that diligently monitors and evaluates each individual motion.
