$1000 to register an electric vehicle ???

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by Augustus

Alabama just passed a law increasing the gas tax. Included in this is a $200 (per year) fine for EVs and a $100 fine for PHEVs.

This convinced me to sell my Nissan Leaf... If you drive a new Prius and average 50MPG, you would need to drive 35,714 miles in one year in order to pay the same amount of gas tax as an EV driver who may only drive 1000 miles in a year pays.

My next car will likely be a gas hog sedan, as I want something a little bit more responsive than another Prius, and the state has discouraged me from seeking any EVs or PHEVs.

The government ruins yet another great thing.

No, rednecks did it. If a state ranks 50th in education long enough, what do you think its legislature is going to eventually look like? It's going to be full of people who can't count and have no planning or critical thinking skills.
Gubmint isn't ruining anything, Murrica is doing it just fine.

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I would have economic, national defense, and environmental studies report on the impacts of raising fuel taxes at varying amounts and by varying rates to determine what might be the best balance. Then I'd implement that strategy, which would probably be a well announced and slowly increasing federal tax on fossil fuels. You want business and individuals have time to prepare and adjust for the changes, not dump it on them suddenly.

Before conducting any study, I'd immediately translate the federal gas tax to 19.87%, or $0.501. I didn't say raise, I said translate. Convert. In 1993 when the federal tax was raised to 18.4 cents, gas averaged $1.11 a gallon, making it a 19.87% tax ($0.926x1.1987=$1.109). Today's national average is $2.723, so pre federal tax it's $2.539, which would give us the 50.1 cent tax ($2.539x1.1987=$3.04). I would then, as part of commissioning the studies, assume that they would recommend some sort of increase and begin small annual increases immediately.

Don't even mention state gas taxes- if they weren't rolled into the pre federal tax price here, that 18.4 cents would have been an even higher percentage of the base gas price back in 1993.

[Ironside]

Money,money,money, no mention of the environment - the governments of rest of the world are giving tax incentives to EV's in an attempt to save the planet.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Ironside

Money,money,money, no mention of the environment - the governments of rest of the world are giving tax incentives to EV's in an attempt to save the planet.

You may not be aware, but the US federal government (taxpayer) is subsidizing EVs at up to $7,500 for the first 200k cars any manufacturer sells. Other states and local governments have incentives on top of that. Oregon for example has up to $5,000 in addition to the federal amount of $7,500 for a total of $12,500 USD.

Many (most?) states treat EVs the same as ICE vehicles as far as registration fees go. That means road infrastructure is subsidized by ICE drivers and EV drivers tend to get a break. Yet another form of incentive.

[Angel And The Wolf]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

You may not be aware, but the US federal government (taxpayer) is subsidizing EVs at up to $7,500 for the first 200k cars any manufacturer sells. Other states and local governments have incentives on top of that. Oregon for example has up to $5,000 in addition to the federal amount of $7,500 for a total of $12,500 USD.

It's time for that to be over. The long term benefits of hybrids, plug in hybrids, and pure electric vehicles have long been established. those who can afford the unsubsidised price will buy them. those who can't, will drive 20 year old Cadilacs.

[Xist]

We cannot afford not to throw money at electric vehicles!

[Angel And The Wolf]

Throw yours, and let others decide where to throw theirs!

[redpoint5]

I'm against the subsidies too, but wanted to clear any confusion.

I suspect that the majority of subsidies, perhaps all, that are in the name of "saving the world" are corrupt political maneuvers to gain political favor and cater to special interests.

As I've said, if we were serious about reducing CO2 emissions, we'd simply tax the burning of fossil fuels at a higher rate. Everything else is ignorance at best, and a lie at worst.

[Angel And The Wolf]

Yes, rather than throwing out money to encourage the buying of EVs and hybrids, pull in money to discourage the buying of hydrocarbon burning cars. Do this at the point of initial sale of vehicles.
Prohibit the resale of petroleum burning vehicles, but don't penalize current owners with more taxes on fuel.

(See what I can come up with if I were King?)

(But I still like my idea of charging by the pound and number of miles traveled.)

[teknomage2012]

The most fair apportionment of road maintenance, TIRES tax where the rubber meets the road!

A uniform tire tax could be levied based on the tires weight rating, and studs; to most fairly apportion road maintenance.

This would work great and be transparent of the vehicle or it's fuel source.

Want to drive a lightweight econo car with rubber winter tires your tax for your impact is X.

Want to drive a 12,000# F650 as a commuter car with studs year round just in case of apocalypse, fine the tax for your impact is XXXX.

[cowmeat]

A uniform tire tax could be levied based on the tires weight rating, and studs; to most fairly apportion road maintenance.

That sounds like the quickest way to get people riding around on undersized/underrated tires