Bigthink - Idea Comments Feed

Comment on: Green License Plates

Bigthink — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 01:24:11 +0100

maybe instead of paying for a license plate, you should drive a more fuel efficient car. Doesn't that seem more logical?????

Comment on: Green License Plates

Bigthink — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:57:55 +0100

The early returns on such an opt-in system seem to be negative.

How about a pay-as-you-go system? To enforce energy conservation, set a certain per-vehicle allowance for annual fuel consumption. Vehicles which exceed the allowance pay an additional use tax.

For the sake of argument, use the federally mandated coporate average fuel economy standard as a starting point. Then set an annual mileage allowance, say 12,000 miles. If CAFE mandate is 20 mpg, that works out to an annual allowance of 600 gallons per private vehicle for personal use. Commercial vehicles could be allowed twice that amount.

Fuel consumption could be monitored by the use of coupons or by a swipe card similar to preloaded credit cards. Vehicles which exceed the annual fuel allowance would be charged the additional use tax at the pump.

Obviously, the greater the fuel efficiency of a vehicle, the greater the advantage.

There is cost associated, of course, but the cost of administration would be covered by the excess use taxes.

Bare bones idea here, and there are no doubt holes in it, but it's intended as a discussion starter, not a tidy solution.

Comment on: Green License Plates

Bigthink — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:42:27 +0100

It would be a way to make money but I doubt that the money would go anywhere useful.

Comment on: Green License Plates

Bigthink — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:21:47 +0100

The celebrities would eat this stuff up, O look at me. Not for me, just a bunch of hot air.

Comment on: Green License Plates

Bigthink — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:22:13 +0100

How about, "No".