Bill Clinton added 6 cents to the federal gas tax and balanced the budget. Then George W. Bush gave it all away to his rich campaign contributors and thus ushered in the era of insurmountable deficits.
Not keen on the idea, but the article said 'as an alternative'. I take that to mean that the current fuel tax would be removed. But that's generally not how Democrats do things. It doesn't matter anyway. The article also said Biden isn't considering it. I think it would be very unpopular anyway.