The fuel tax pays for other things and roads are paid for by other funds. I think it is pretty clear that no one gets a "free ride" unless they pay no taxes at all.
Politicians don't regulate utilities, they appoint boards who regulate them. Not much different from appointing judges, who are appointed exactly that way so they are *not* political. Judges rule against the government often. Regulatory commission members don't always do what is popular or what the politicians prefer. This is a silly point to be arguing. It has little bearing on the collection and use of fuel taxes.