State of California looks to tax non-flex fuel vehicles
Talk about playing with dynamite. California representative Zoe Lofgren (pictured) has introduced a bill that would impose a tax on any vehicle imported into the state or manufactured within that was not flex-fuel capable. States Lofgren, "My bill would be a step to help combat climate change and promote energy independence by encouraging the development and distribution of alternatively fueled vehicles."Monies from such a tax would be distributed to independent gas station owners to install alternative fuel pumps and equipment. While the concept sounds interesting, we at AutoblogGreen can see a tough fight in the California legislature. We'll be closely monitoring House Resolution 5959, though; surprises are almost the norm in the Golden State.
[Source: Waste News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1985 Gripen 8:43PM (8/02/2006)
Wow, what a great idea! /sarcasm
Leave it to a California politician to think up a new tax. We apparently don't have enough of them. This is almost as dumb an idea as that clown in the State Assembly who wants to charge people a tax who don't ride public transportation or drive into San Francisco (like London's congestion tax).
Let me ask you: who are those "independent gas station" owners my tax money will be funneled to? Most gas stations are owned by the oil companies themselves and for the past few years they've been buying more and more back from independent owners. So you're going to take my money and give it to ExxonMobil and Chevron? Yeah, I think they're really hurting for more money nowdays.
I wonder how much money in campaign donations Rep. Lofgren is getting from General Motors to introduce this bill.
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1985 Gripen 9:11PM (8/02/2006)
Wait, I just looked this up and Representative Lofgren (D- San Jose) is a Representative to the United States House of Representatives, not the California State House.
Why is she introducing a bill that would tax cars in the State of California? She's not. Look at her press release:
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ca16_lofgren/072806_lofgren_flex_fuel_act.html
She's looking to tax all cars manufactured in the United States and imported which are not flex-fuel capable. It's not just California. This would be very advantageous to an auto manufacturer who has chosen to go the flex-fuel route rather than hybrids like oh, say GENERAL MOTORS.
It sounds to me like she hasn't done her homework. She needs to look at what percentage of gas stations are owned by individuals versus corporations. Who is she planning on giving my tax money to? ExxonMobil?
She also needs to be informed that there is only ONE E85 station currently in California open to the public. Three of the four stations she mentions are government-use-only and closed to the general public.
What happened to the big deal between the State, Chevron, GM, and Pacific Ethanol to bring more ethanol pumps to the State?
http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=74&docid=21736
It's been eight months now since the big press release. There have been NO stations added since then.
Though expanding alternative-fuel vehicles is admirable in theory (given you believe the ethanol hype), this is not the way to do it.
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