New Proposals for Driving Reduction in New York

Recently on “The Drive,” my co-host Karl Brauer and I discussed a couple of bills being reviewed in New York, my home state.

One bill aims to cut down driving across the state by 20%, while another proposes taxing specific fuel-efficient vehicles based on mileage, requiring an electronic device in each car for tracking purposes.

Here’s the thing: I wanted to know how this could work outside New York City. I mean, sure, NYC has subways, but what about the rest of us?

Karl, a Californian himself, quickly pointed out, “There’s this whole area, the politicians might have heard of it. It’s called Upstate New York.”

Exactly right. In Brooklyn, you might be just a few blocks from a subway station. But here, near Buffalo, and in many parts of Upstate New York, a car is essential—it’s not just a luxury. You drive to work, drop kids at school, run errands, see family.

For countless New Yorkers, driving isn’t really optional.

Details of the Proposal

So, what specifically is Albany putting forward?

The Get Around NY Act, backed by Brooklyn Democrat Sen. Andrew Gounardes, aims to lower the total vehicle miles traveled in the state by 20% by 2050.

It’s crucial to clarify what this means: no one’s suggesting cops will check your odometer and fine you for driving 12,000 miles instead of 9,600. No, the goal is statewide, not individual. Essentially, the bill seeks to guide transportation policy to lower total mileage.

Any state or local highway projects that expand road capacity would need to undergo a “vehicle miles traveled impact assessment.” If a project doesn’t support the 20% reduction goal, changes have to be made or it must be offset by strategies reducing driving.

These strategies could encompass better public transport, more pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, parking management, and other zoning changes.

Looking for Alternatives

Gounardes has been upfront about the bill’s intent: “If we measure VMT, we can work to reduce it,” critiquing the state’s transportation master plan. He insisted that this doesn’t mean New Yorkers should drive less but that the state can find better options for getting around.

Okay, but what are these alternatives for those of us living beyond NYC?

New York’s climate planners seem to be aware of this issue, noting that many New Yorkers rely on single-occupancy vehicles due to limited public transportation access.

And it makes sense. New York isn’t just one big city. Once you move away from the urban centers, transportation options narrow significantly. The state has rural transit programs designed to help those in small communities reach employment, schools, and healthcare.

That said, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work on improving public transit. Definitely, build it! Faster, cheaper, more convenient options are likely to be used.

But you can’t create new transit options just by setting a mileage target.

Taxing Miles Driven

And this isn’t Gounardes’ only proposal related to vehicle mileage. Another bill, S4196, suggests replacing some of the gas tax for fuel-efficient vehicles with a tax on mileage traveled on public roads.

The tax would apply to vehicles that achieve at least 30 miles per gallon or equivalent. Owners would pay 1.9 cents per taxable mile.

So, if you drive 10,000 miles in New York, that’s $190. If you drive 15,000 miles, that’s $285.

What really stood out to me is that to calculate this tax, qualifying vehicles must have an onboard electronic unit installed during registration. This device would track mileage and send the data to the Department of Taxation and Finance using GPS or similar tech.

There are privacy measures in place, stating that the unit would only report general mileage without specifics about location or trips. Vehicle owners would still be able to claim credits for gas taxes paid.

Complications Arise

That’s a lot to consider—imagine having a GPS-enabled device mandated in your own car to determine your tax. New York would ensure it’s operational; inspectors would check it during annual vehicle inspections, logging both odometer readings and what the unit states. Attempting to tamper with or disconnect it might lead to penalties.

The reasoning behind a mileage tax is pretty straightforward. Gasoline taxes fund road maintenance. However, as cars become more fuel-efficient or turn to electric, the state collects less fuel tax even though these vehicles are still using the roads.

If we look at both proposals together, one aims to decrease overall mileage, while the other lays the groundwork for measuring mileage and taxing it.

They may serve different purposes, but they intersect at the driver’s odometer.

This brings us back to life outside of New York City. How do you drive less when, say, your job is 30 miles away? Or the closest medical specialist for your child is an hour away? Sports practices, visits to family—these aren’t just extras; they’re part of daily life.

There’s a significant divide between offering alternatives to driving and setting policies based on the assumption that people will just drive less.

We need better public transit, yes. Safe roads are essential. And communities should be geared towards being pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly. Let’s give consumers choices.

However, before Albany decides that New Yorkers as a whole should collectively drive 20% fewer miles, I would appreciate legislators taking the time to understand why those miles are necessary in the first place.

Because for many outside the five boroughs, it’s usually quite simple: we have places we need to go.