Jasin Natael wrote on 2021-04-16, 15:39:
sf78 wrote on 2021-04-16, 12:29:
Jed118 wrote on 2021-04-14, 17:50:
That sounds like a European problem. Around here, we don't have any specific taxes. We don't even have emissions tests anymore. The only advantage to having a small car is literally the savings on gasoline. And probably insurance. Other than that, we're free to drive what we want, and the gov't will randomly apply blanket carbon taxes at the pumps. Once my Sonata starts to age and become less reliable, I will seriously look into electric cars.
Not a problem as such, more of a (annoying) necessity. What the main problem is that large polluters like China and US haven't implemented similar methods. In European legislation it mainly stems from the poor air quality of larger cities and heavy traffic in general. Obviously electric cars are better suited for short distance Europe than some desolate area. The charging infrastructure isn't quite there yet, but it will be in a few years. Hopefully cheaper 2nd hand electrics are also available at that time.
They can have my "large polluting" V8s when they pry them from my cold hard driveway.
Sorry but not sorry. I'm paying for my own fuel costs be they extra or not. Individual liberty is important to most Americans......and should be to everyone.
The problem here is that there is only a maximum amount of pollution the planet can take before the air quality and climate start degrading unacceptably for all of us, and even more so for future generations (including that of any offspring that you may have yourself, and their descendants).
So if you divide all the "polluting capacity" on the planet by the number of people on Earth, there is a certain maximum amount of CO2 and other garbage that you yourself may emit before you encroach on that of the rest of us. Chances are that you are already well past that point. Your freedom stops where that of your fellow person begins. And the ability to breathe clean air and to live in a habitable world is freedom too.
CO2, sulphur, nitrous oxides and all other particles that come out of your tailpipe don't respect international borders or even state lines.
But if you're willing to pay a higher premium so that you may continue to pollute, I guess I can live with that, as long as that tax is high enough and reflects the actual damage being done.
Tax it, don't ban it. You'll have to keep your V8 well-maintained the coming years and decades, though, since vehicle manufacturers will eventually stop producing ICE-based vehicles. Not just because of increasingly stringent emissions standards, but also simply because of economies of scale and demand. Also, you may laugh at the idea now, but you will eventually start noticing it getting harder and harder to refuel your trusty and thirsty steed, since more and more gas stations will either close or be converted to rapid charging stations, due to changing demands.
An analogy for this that everybody here on Vogons can understand is the LCD panel vs the CRT monitor. Many people here are looking for CRTs because of their distinct nostalgic qualities, but this nostalgia is a niche that will not be big enough for companies to start manufacturing CRT monitors again. It would require assembly lines and specialized equipment. It's just not worth the investment. The same will soon be true for ICE vehicles. And much sooner than most people think.