Spain expands CO2 emission-based tax scheme to two-wheelers
Spain was one of the first countries to tax cars, at least when they're purchased, depending on their CO2 emission levels. What's good for four wheels is good for two, apparently, and a very similar tax system has been adopted for motorbikes, which will be put into effect at the start of 2009. This means that the amount of tax paid when a buyer registers a two-wheeler, called "Impuesto de matriculación," will be as follows:
- Two-wheelers that emit less than 80 g/km of CO2 will be exempt from the registration tax.
- Two-wheelers that emit between 80 and 100 g/km of CO2 will pay 4.75 percent registration tax.
- Two-wheelers that emit between 100 and 120 g/km of CO2 will pay 9.75 percent registration tax.
- And, finally, bikes that emit over 120 g/km of CO2 or have more than 100hp will pay 14.75 percent registration tax.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Karl-Uwe Strunzen 8:39PM (8/19/2008)
Impressive! I'm surprised by this very positive approach by the Spanish authorities. No matter what the outcome will be of the German car lobbyists on the EU legislation, Spain already is doing the right thing (for both cars and motorbikes).... way to go!
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Chris 9:06AM (8/20/2008)
Taxing on CO2 emission is interesting, but what happens if CO2 is not a contributing factor to global warming.. The debate seems a whole lot less "settled" than it used to be.
That said the drive to conserve, clean, and reduce impact must continue. The whole "Global Warming" and "Global Climate Change" blow-up seems like its getting crushed under the weight of the real science.
There are a million reasons to conserve, reduce impact, and become energy independent; lets do it for the right reasons so people don't mistrust the government’s motives.
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 12:06PM (8/20/2008)
i don't believe that even the stubbornest lobbyists and denialists have anywhere to hide anymore with the the CO2 or GHG debate in general: the amount of data we have today about are climate is mind-boggling. For example, I don't think there is a single aspect of the climate for which we don't receive huge amounts of data on a daily basis from satellites. Europe alone has satellites like Envisat, Metop, MSG and so on, which provide info on, among other things, CO2 levels (Ennisat in particular), Then you have a host of US satellites (NOAA, Topex and so on), Chinese, Indian, Russian satellites etc. etc.
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 12:10PM (8/20/2008)
i don't believe that even the stubbornest lobbyists and denialists have anywhere to hide anymore with the the CO2 or GHG debate in general: the amount of data we have today about are climate is mind-boggling. For example, I don't think there is a single aspect of the climate for which we don't receive huge amounts of data on a daily basis from satellites. Europe alone has satellites like Envisat, Metop, MSG and so on, which provide info on, among other things, CO2 levels (Ennisat in particular), Then you have a host of US satellites (NOAA, Topex and so on), Chinese, Indian, Russian satellites etc. etc.
Reply