Re: Estimation of CO2 emissions with first full charge of EV.


"LongmuirG" <LongmuirG@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1135962825.283076.164460@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Alex Terrel wrote:
> > PHEV manufacturers should aim for European
> > markets, where gas prices are several times higher
>
> As you note in your link, Mr. Terrell, widespread adoption of Plug-in
> Hybrid Electric Vehicles would have a very negative effect on European
> government tax revenues. To be blunt, European governments will never
> let that happen. They may care about CO2 emissions, but they really,
> really, really care about tax revenue!
>
> This is a good example of the Law of Unintended Consequences. European
> goverments raised taxes on hydrocarbon fuels to incredible levels --
> European governments are now raking in about 4 times as much economic
> rent from a barrel of oil as OPEC governments. This was supposed to
> encourage conservation and alternative energies. But it has also made
> European governments uncomfortably dependent on tax revenues from
> hydrocarbon fuels -- which gives them an enormous incentive to subtly
> obstruct innovations which would reduce oil use.
>
> If PHEV technology takes off, look for some European agency to start
> asking difficult questions about the environmental impacts of the
> expanded use of heavy metals in vehicle batteries -- the half-life of
> heavy metals is infinite! Lead is a killer!!


In my opinion governments of successful industrialized countries (such as
the US and much of Europe) have demonstrated themselves to be relatively
responsible in their taxation policies and general use of power (not
everyone will agree with me on this).

Responsible governments use taxation as a way to encourage (without forcing)
people into behaviors that they wouldn't necessarily do by themselves, but
with the aim towards improving the common good for all.

The US government is currently encouraging people to buy hybrid vehicles by
giving out rather generous tax credits.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051231/ap_on_bi_ge/hybrid_tax_credits

This would seem to be contrary behavior compared to what you seem to be
implying governments are likely to do. If our government was concerned
about losing gasoline tax revenue, then it would seem most unlikely they
would even consider giving people tax credits for purchasing fuel efficient
vehicles.

Western European governments have generally demonstrated themselves to be
even more committed towards helping the environment than the US.

Even if electric vehicles/plug in hybrids one day became ubiquitous enough
to materially cut into gasoline tax revenue, governments can either cut back
on social program spending, or find something else to tax (or tax harder)
instead. A road usage tax is certainly one possibility.



.

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