Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
If "wealthy" people don't buy new EVs, then how are us less wealthy (or not so spendthrift) people supposed to buy cheaper used EVs a few years later?
|
That's like asking how less wealthy people are supposed to buy used Rolexes if wealthy people aren't buying them.
It isn't clear that EVs are necessary, and therefore it is foolish for the government to specifically subsidize them, especially since the benefit is only accessible to the wealthy (initially).
As I've said elsewhere, if pollution is outside of acceptable limits, then it is the role of government to create laws to limit pollution to meet the acceptable limits. Likewise, if we are too dependant on foreign oil and it poses an unacceptable national security risk, then it is the role of government to make laws related to the acceptable amount of imported energy.
It is far outside the scope of law to choose which technologies shall win, however. From a high level, set the limits of pollution and imported energy and let the market figure out how to achieve those goals. Micromanaging the goal is certain to have unintended bad outcomes. Also, setting limits directly addresses the problem, rather than roundabout addressing it.
By setting laws at a high level, you vastly reduce the ability of scoundrels (politicians) to cater to special interests in the guise of protecting citizens.
My solution to the pollution/imported energy problem more directly achieves the objective while giving the market as much freedom to adapt as possible. My proposal is to slowly increase the taxes collected on petrol. State and federal taxes are already collected at the pump, so the infrastructure to collect these taxes are already in place and doesn't require additional administrative overhead. By slowly increasing taxes at a rate schedule that is published, it gives consumers and the market time to plan ahead and adjust their strategies, minimizing disruption and maximizing creativity on how to reduce fuel consumption.
We don't need more complex tax code; we need a tax code overhaul to simplify it so the average person can figure it out, the loopholes are closed, and the administrative overhead is made as small as possible. My proposal in this area is to replace income tax with a federal sales tax. To make it progressive, make the first $500(or some figure) of rent/mortgage tax free. Make certain healthy staple food items tax free. No other deductions.