North Carolina is not alone in considering an odometer tax.

Arturo Perez, a fiscal analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures, said that a number of states are considering a so-called Vehicle Miles Traveled tax.

"There is a sense among many states that there needs to be an alternative to the traditional forms of financing transportation," he said.

Perez said that the gas tax used by many states and the federal government to fund road improvements has not kept pace with inflation in the costs of road-building materials.

Even when the tax is raised, it's not enough, he said. 

According to a 2006 report by the NCSL, 14 states raised their gas tax rates 19 times since 1997, but only three raised them sufficiently enough to keep pace with inflation.

North Carolina is considering taxing drivers for how far they drive.

The proposed "road-use tax" would at first be simple, with the state checking your odometer annually and taxing you based on how many miles you've driven. 

But transportation experts say new GPS technology could allow the state to charge people different rates based on when and where they drive.

Talk of a Vehicle Miles Traveled tax has long been discussed as a necessity, especially since cars are becoming more efficient, leading to a drop in gas tax revenue.

The 21st Century Transportation Committee suggested that motorists pay a quarter-cent for each mile they drive, with the first 2,000 miles free. A motorist who drives 12,000 miles a year would pay $25, possibly when their car is inspected. (Char-O)