California needs to transition away from the gas tax, whether Republicans like it or not

California’s largest transportation funding source, the fuel tax, is living on borrowed time. The growing number of fuel-efficient vehicles, hybrids and electric vehicles on the state’s roads means the gas tax is no longer a sustainable way to build, maintain, and expand highways, roads, and bridges.

The consensus among transportation experts is that states will need to replace fuel taxes with road user charges. But California Republicans are fearmongering against road charges, claiming...