Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: How will RUCs change our driving behaviours?

So the Government just announced what they’re calling the biggest change to road funding in 50 years. Once these changes kick in, petrol taxes are out and RUCs - road user charges - are in, for everyone.

Not just truckies, not just EV drivers, not just diesel users, every single one of us.

This is not really a surprise, the Government flagged this two years ago. But now the work is starting and Cabinet has agreed to start changing the law on it.
 
And generally, I think this is a good idea. It’s going to make it more transparent, as most of us have no idea how much we’re paying to use the road because it’s hidden in the petrol cost.

But once it’s stripped out, it’s going to smack us in the face every month - or however often - we pay that bill. And it’s actually a lot, tax makes up almost half the cost of petrol.
 
It’s also going to, if designed properly, change our behaviour for the better.
 
Heavier cars should end up being charged more - as they should - because they do more damage to the roads. For example, electric vehicles, which are enormously heavy, will be pot-holing the road more than a lighter Suzuki Swift.

That should, if we respond rationally to pricing, move us towards lighter vehicles and away from the trend of 'bigger is better' - which is better for road maintenance. 
 
But everything hangs off on enforcement. Because this is ripe for gaming. 

The same people who don't get a WOF and don't get a rego now won't get their RUCs. So if you’re going from a simple system where it gets taken at the pump to a more complex 'count the Ks and file the paperworks system',  how will you be sure everyone does it?
 
In an announcement light on detail - that’s the question I have. But in theory, it's a good idea.

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