02-16-08: As if the new CAFÉ rules signed by the President last December weren’t an egregious enough assault on the rights of the car buying public, many states are working on laws and taxes that will further punish drivers of muscle cars. While the new Federal rules will force automakers to all but drop anything with a V8 in the next decade, a collection of states are working on new laws that seek to levy high tax surcharges on vehicles with larger engines or with higher pullution levels.
The laws in general are geared to steer buyers into more efficient and lower polluting vehicles by targeting their pocketbook with a punitive tax or fee that can be as much as $2500, in addition to Federal gas guzzler taxes. This new movement is a response by states that want to raise the bar higher than the latest Federal rules, citing that they are not enough.
Regardless of how you feel about pollution, oil, or global warming, most people would agree that charging taxes does nothing to solve those issues. The policies would only serve to harm our automobile industry further, cause economic slowdown in the manufacturing and retail sectors, and limit consumer choice. If you live the states below, you need to contact your local state representatives and let them know how you feel. These laws could end up costing anyone wanting something other than a Toyota Prius, a ton of cash!
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Hawaii: Targets Engine Size For Additional Fee
Legislation has been introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives to establish a progressive fee for state motor vehicles based on engine size. These fees would be collected by the state at the time of initial vehicle registration and at subsequent renewals of registration.
These fees would be in addition to fees and taxes normally required for registration or renewal. The measure would tax vehicle owners with an engine size greater than 200 cu. Cm, or .2 Liters, and the fee would increase depending on engine displacement. This means that ALL cars in Hawaii will be subject to the new fees, as there are no cars with engines smaller than .2 Liters!
New York: Proposed Surcharge on “Gas Guzzlers”
Legislation has been introduced in the New York State Assembly to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could require owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle.
Funds collected under the program would be used in part to fund discounts for hybrids and electric cars. If this effort is successful, the effects on a consumers’ ability to purchase the vehicle of choice, not to mention vehicle safety, could be dramatic. Seems like an automotive version of wealth distribution, robbing from the big to give to the small.
Washington State: Considering Taxing Vehicle Emissions
In an attempt to reduce motor-vehicle emissions, legislation has been introduced in the Washington State Senate to establish two separate progressive fees for state motor vehicles based on (1) engine size and (2) calculations of carbon emissions. These fees would be collected by the state at the time of initial vehicle registration and at subsequent renewals of registration.
If this effort is successful, the expense of driving a vehicle of choice in Washington could be substantial. The measure would tax vehicle owners with an engine size of 8.0L or more $600 at the time of registration or renewal. An additional tax of $600 would be assessed for vehicles emitting more than 362 g per mile of carbon dioxide. Smaller engine vehicles would be taxed at a lesser but still significant rate.
