Hybrid cars, electric cars, hydrogen cars, even solar-powered cars: We've seen 'em all over the past few months, and we're crossing our fingers that this apparent massive interest on the part of automakers isn't just a flash in the pan.

And it seems the government is thinking along the same lines--except it actually has a stake in gas-powered cars: gas taxes (via Autoblog). Yes, that's how our roads get maintained (at least in part), so for now hybrid and electric car drivers are getting a pretty sweet deal.

That may end soon: the University of Iowa Public Policy Center is researching ways to tax drivers by the mile, rather than by the 18.4-cent gallon. How are they doing this? With a little gadget that's currently being tested by 2,700 drivers from Maryland, Texas, Iowa, North Carolina, Idaho, and California. It operates like the meter on a taxi; drivers will get a monthly bill.

Of course, considering how New York taxi drivers freaked out when given similar regulation (GPS units installed in cabs), I wonder what kind of reception it will get. Also, a monthly bill? Can you imagine the logistics of billing tens of millions of drivers every month? I'm not saying it's a bad plan, but I wonder about the details.

More reason to ride the bus!

Autoblog, via GoodCleanTech