This is a common carbrain argument
“I already pay the gas tax”
The problem is that it’s false.
In a recent study, researchers Stefan Gössling, Jessica Kees, and Todd Litman calculated the social costs of driving. They found that the social cost is about 30-40% higher than what car owners are actually paying
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800921003943?via=ihub
That cost is paid by non-drivers.
Aye, that is the historical progression: We built roads and highways for automobiles, and the logistics companies took advantage of the subsidized “free” ways. We should absolutely make them pay for what they use. It may seem like this system is “good for the economy,” but this kind of subsidy distorts the supply/demand equilibrium and creates deadweight loss. Furthermore, the effect it’s had on logistics favors just-in-time inventory systems, distant manufacturers, and large, centralized distribution centers. Wal-Mart and Amazon are one visible result.
Perhaps if we priced the cost of transport into the price of goods, it would be better for most people, as manufacturing and distribution (with the associated jobs) moved back closer to the consumers?
Yeah, also if road transport cost the actual price, more goods would be transported by rail and water, which is much better for the environment.
“We can’t afford rails, large infrastructure bla.bla.” Ah… Okay … but how then can we afford to replace the current roads every 5 years? It’s like everyone just take roads from granted because it’s a socialized cost.