Massachusetts considers law to track miles driven annually, potentially limiting car use with penalties
Published on Jul 15, 2025 at 4:08 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Jul 15, 2025 at 5:55 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Massachusetts is reportedly considering new legislation to track the law to track miles driven in your car every year.
The proposed new law aims to meet the state’s climate mandates.
The states of Colorado and Minnesota currently have similar laws in place.
And it appears that the state of Massachusetts could be the next to follow.
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A law to track miles could make cars more expensive in Massachusetts
Like most US states, Massachusetts has a lot of cars driving on its roads.
In fact, the city of Boston was voted the most likely in America to be involved in a car accident.
Now, the state is looking at a law to track miles in order to tackle climate goals.
The proposed law (Bill S.2246) is aimed at introducing measures similar to those in Colorado and Minnesota.
Its main aim is to ‘align the Commonwealth’s transportation plans with its climate mandates’.
The summary further adds that it would require MassDOT’s transportation plans to provide a reasonable pathway to compliance with our [sic] emissions limits for the transportation sector.”
To put that simply, it means that Massachusetts is using environmentalism to crack down on car usage.
The Bill also outlines that such measures would require the promotion of electric vehicles.
So, how would this bill be enforced in practice?
How would the new law actually work?
It is not currently known how exactly Colorado enforces its mileage mandates.
What is known is how the state of Minnesota plans to achieve its aims.
Minnesota’s Department of Transportation is reportedly looking at replacing its fuel tax.
It is reportedly planning on replacing it with Road User Charges (RUCs) and Distance-Based Fees (DBFs) that would fine motorists based on the distances they travel.
Whilst it is not known for certain, this appears to be one of the most likely mechanisms of enforcement.
Like Colorado and Minnesota, Massachusetts has pledged to become a ‘zero emissions’ state.
Of course, it is important to note that this legislation is far from being ready to be voted on.
Presumably, Massachusetts would likely need to find a way to get access to drivers’ mileage data.
That mechanism itself requires a lot of legislative groundwork and framing.
The Democrat-backed legislation was introduced by Cynthia Stone Creem earlier this year.
Naturally, some Massachusetts residents seem more concerned about the surveillance aspects of this bill.
Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
