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Oregon outlines phased rollout of mandatory road usage charge; warns of political headwinds
Summary
Oregon DOT described a phased transition from a voluntary to mandatory road usage charge, offering customer choice and account managers while aiming to cut administrative costs. Presenters noted recent political setbacks that scaled back broader transportation funding proposals.
Scott Boardman, policy adviser in the Oregon Department of Transportation's Office of Innovative Funding, briefed the California TAC on Oregon's plans to phase in a mandatory road usage charge for specific vehicle classes. He described a dual system where the voluntary program continues and new statutory phases will require enrollment at registration renewal or sale for some EVs and, later, plug-in hybrids and other vehicles. "We are building these mandatory phases on top of our voluntary program and providing customer choice," Boardman said.
Boardman also flagged the political context: Oregon's broader transportation funding package faced contentious debate, some elements were referred to voters, and key measures were rejected in a May election—leaving the agency to proceed with a scaled implementation. He stressed that the agency is focused on minimizing administrative costs (statute requires driving administrative costs to 10% by July 2030), ensuring business continuity among account managers, and conducting public outreach so residents understand enrollment options and compliance requirements.
Oregon intends to maintain multiple mileage-reporting options (including OBD-II, telematics and odometer capture) to preserve choices for users—particularly to handle out-of-state miles, fleet management and dealer sales—and plans a phased schedule to allow the system to scale and adjust.
