New-car emissions tax a mistake, says traders’ body
Saturday 30th January 2010, 2:29PM GMT.
ENVIRONMENT’S suggested emissions tax on new cars will backfire, according to the Guernsey Motor Trades Association.
Chairman Mike Wager (pictured) said an emissions-based vehicle tax would be inappropriate because it would not reduce the number of high-output cars on Guernsey roads but would impact on dealers.
‘Putting an extra tax on the purchase of new vehicles is not an effective way of reducing emissions and will only serve to encourage people who need a larger car to hang on to older cars which are significantly more polluting than their modern equivalents,’ he said.
The tax is one of the suggestions put forward by the department in a consultation that closes tomorrow.
Although Mr Wager acknowledged the progress made in the production of low-emission vehicles, he said that in most cases they were not yet a viable alternative for many drivers due to what they want from the vehicle and because of price.
‘We believe people will simply keep their old car rather than buy something that isn’t right for them,’ said Mr Wager.
- Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Useful Links
Of course the emission tax on NEW VEHICLES is a mistake,the tax should be levied on ALL vehicles,the more you pollute,the more you should pay.And there are means to cut down the pollution on older vehicles.If you want to live in a cleaner envirement then sadly,its gonna cost.But the blow for older car owners could be softened by just raising a percentage,say 10 year old cars pay the full,and reduce it by 90% for say one year old cars,80% for two year olds,and so on.Vehicles that are Euro 5 should be exempt from this tax,that is until Euro 6 comes into force!
Just my view on this matter,and I have put on my flak jacket and steel helmut!
Report abuse
Mike Wagner is right. Furthermore, the only effective way to cut automobile emissions is to bring in a stunning offer on bicycles that ‘no one can refuse’
Report abuse
Have any of them thought why the UK government paid a subsidy for people to get a new car rather than an extra tax? Of course not, that would involve thinking things through.
Report abuse
The argument that this may simply impact people to keep their old, less efficient cars, as apposed to buying a new clean car is worse the environment is nonsense. The amount of pollution caused by an old car in the lets say three years till it needs replacing will be significantly less than the manufacturing of a new car, so in effect, if this makes people buy cars less often, or even stop them from buying a second car, this will help the environment. And I don’t think I have ever seen a car dealer out of pocket.
Report abuse
Taxing a vehicle because of its emissions isn’t going to stop “global warming”, nor is it going stop those buying a car, if they want a big car they’ll just have to spend a little bit more…
Report abuse
Ah yes …Global Warming … now called climate change because we are about to enter a natural period of cooler weather.
Global Warming backed up by dodgy dossiers, fiddled temperature readings,hidden
e-mails,Glaciers that won’t be melting after all
When I think of Global warming I think of the Millennium Bug,Bird Flu,Swine Flu,dodgy MMR science.
About time the debate was reopened without the ‘denier’ tag being thrown at anyone who questions this ‘inconvenient truth’.
Report abuse
About time we introduced anh MOT type test -
and car size restriction.
Report abuse
Do we not realise that the emissions which come out of a vehicle’s exhaust are entirely related to the amount of fuel that goes in? Surely then the easiest way to discourage thirsty vehicles is to increase the tax on fuel. Anything more complicated will cost thousands to implement for no extra benefit.
I do wonder, however, why we are so desperate to penalise divers when we keep silent about those people who choose to live in huge houses when a small one would easily suffice. They are burning more heating fuel than they need – and do we not have an overcrowding problem?
I personally thing that no one should lecture anyone about what they drive without first ensuring that they themselves are living in an ‘appropriate’ sized house. No really, I do!
I filled my estate car with reclaimed wood from the scavenging yard yesterday. This went next to the chicken feed. Oh and it’ll possibly have six people in it when we go to France this year. My life just doesn’t fit into a Smart car! Not yet anyway.
Report abuse
I Completely agree With Andre. This will also penalise the ‘kevs’ who just drive round aimlessly every night. Petrol should be taxed. Not cars.
Report abuse
If the body says “mistake”
What does the head say??
Ba doom tish
Report abuse
Why should petrol be taxed? It shouldn’t, there’s no need for it to be taxed, I don’t think either of you know the consequences of taxing fuel.
Food prices will go UP, trades prices will go UP, you’ll be spending more on fuel, the buses will be spending more on fuel.
It doesn’t help anybody, bring back car tax and scrap fuel tax I say!
Report abuse
@GG,
Car tax is more costly as it’s an administrative burden and punishes the infrequent driver as well as those who drive frequently. Petrol tax is a ‘user pays’ tax which is surely a better method for discouraging car use. Regardless of the climate change argument, I’m always surprised by the sheer number of cars on the road for such a small island (I’m originally from the UK), so any disincentives to get people out of their cars are a good thing in my book. (Yes my wife and I do own a car, but use it very infrequently). Guerns are in general, too stuck in their ways and comfortable driving everywhere in their cars (a symptom of being an affluent island I suppose), and so few people seem to think of the alternatives and make an effort to reduce traffic on the roads.
Report abuse
Hi.
GG.
Why change the current system. It works well in my opinion. You use your vehicle, you use the appropriate amount of fuel which is taxed. Its the fairest way.
What really gets me is that these gov bodies seem to think taxing everything will stop people using these items, which are as important as our own arms and legs. All it IS doing is creating a two tier system, where-by the people who can afford it, wont give a stuff and those who cant will still have to pay but will become another burdon on top of all the all cost increases (fuel, heating, food etc etc).
We are speedily becoming a 3rd world.
Exactly where would this money go?
IT WILL BE WASTED AND WONT STOP WHAT IS HAPPENING.
ANOTHER STEALTH TAX.
WE WILL HAVE POLL TAX NEXT, GST ETC. Just you wait!
GD.
Report abuse
gsydonkee,
There is considerable evidence that higher petrol prices do have an effect on behaviour. If people believe higher prices are here to stay, they will resolve to adapt.
For the effect to be seen, however, the relative cost of private motoring has to rise faster than personal income. Even in the UK, despite one of the highest petrol taxes in Europe, the relative cost of driving a car hasn’t risen in real terms in the last 30 years. There also have to be viable public transport alternatives standing ready.
(see http://www.cts.cv.imperial.ac.uk/documents/publications/iccts00007.pdf for much more – also http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~ijackson/2008/real-cost-of-motoring/ has links to statistics re the cost of motoring)
Report abuse
I have an idea. Raise some tax, and spend it on something specific – i.e. a hypothecated tax.
Recently our deputies voted to support the Island’s proposed “obesity strategy” (a set of plans aimed at increasing physical activity and tackling obesity problems). The only problem was that precisely no extra money was allocated to the strategy. As you can imagine, this somewhat limits progress.
So how about this: raise fuel tax / get paid parking / charge polluting vehicles, and plough all the money raised into the obesity strategy?
That way we can see that the pain caused is doing something useful.
Report abuse
@Phil and GD, I understand your points, but the tax on petrol has risen dramatically, far higher than paying an annual road tax.
Regarding your comment about “Guern’s too stuck in their ways”, I imagine if less foreigners were to come here, there would be less cars.
Report abuse
Phil
Are you suggesting that the none Guerns like yourself are all using public transport or bikes or maybe even car shareing and walking?
Report abuse
James
Why should car drivers pay for people who cant say “no” to that 4th cake??
I mean seriously…. lets implement paid parking and pay for all the fatties to get personal trainers.
People would be really happy about seeing their income funneled into a project that is only needed because of lazyness.
Or alternatively learn some self control Tugboat, if Britney can do it so can you.
And while were at this Hypothecated tax lark, lets find some more ways of distributing our hard earned taxes to lazy (erm sorry, less fortunate) people, lets tax people every time they leave their house in daylight hours (hours of darkness are tax exempt) and pay for some free TV’s for the dole heads.
This is great…
Report abuse
GG:
There probably would be fewer cars if there were fewer foreign people here in Guernsey. But the UK has a far higher number of foreign people ‘per local’, yet here in Guernsey we have more cars per population than any other country in the world.
You can hardly blame foreigners for that.
Report abuse
mmmmmmmmm
i have regular car….normal size engine. Its mint condition just 10 years old. TAX the Sports car-is there a need! Tax the 4×4-is there a need (exclude farmers). Tax the large engines (GTi/2L)-is there a need with 25-35mph speed limit! Remember not everyone can afford a new/newer car!
Report abuse
GG……..i always said that tax included in the petrol would be more and that was when it was first thought of 20 years ago. No one agreed with me and now….. YES you got it, even the small engine, hardly ever us the car, and the motorbike now pay more tax!!!! Remember who chose to put the tax in place.
Report abuse
bcb,
It’s not the Guernsey people I’m criticising, but the culture of using cars that is so ingrained over here.
Report abuse
Phil
Typical conversation, in an office somewhere in St Peter Port
“So, where do you live??”
“By Rohais motor centre”
“So, Where do you park for work??”
“North Beach”
Report abuse
Emelianeko
You must have walked out before the end of the conversation ..
“Why don’t you walk in ?”
” Because I have to drop my daughter in to play school at 8.45″
” Why can’t your wife drop her off?
” Because she starts work at 8am and then does a second job in the afternoon so that we can pay the mortgage”
“Oh “
Report abuse
Ray
Since when did 2 17 year old office juniors living with parents suddenly have a mortgage, wife and children.
I think you were in a different office.
Report abuse
Emelianeko
Sorry E. I was indeed earwigging in the BIG office
Apparently the junior conversation went like this
“North Beach ! Why ? ”
“Because there are a lot of cycle racks there covered by CCTV”
“Your Dad works in Town.Can’t he bring you in?”
“No because he has to drop my little sister off at Play School at 8.45 and that would make me late for work”
” What about your Mum ?”
” She can’t either because she starts work at 8am and then does a second job in the afternoon so that they can pay the mortgage”
“Oh”
Report abuse
Ray and E.
Interesting conversation Dad must have a good job as he appears to have a parking space provided by his employer as I doubt he would get a long term parking space on the North Beach at 8.45! Unless of course he rides a motor bike.
I do not like the idea of an emissions tax as I don’t believe that it would be used for enviromental purposes but just an additional source of income for our politicians to sqaunder on more grandiose schemes.
GG – you missed window and chimney tax!
Report abuse
Tim
Dad is a company rep and is in and out of the office every couple of hours so he is OK in the two or three hour spaces.
Report abuse