A price to pay for alternative fuels by BRUCE HENDERSON - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

NoSpark · #1 06-11-2007, 02:25 PM

Forgive me if this is a repost, I didn't check:

http://www.charlotte.com/171/story/153260.html

vstech · #2 06-11-2007, 02:47 PM

yeah, the fuel tax here is big business! that and the hotel tax aimed at "tourists" when the fuel prices jumped due to katrina most states dropped the tax hike, but the government around here blocked a bill to prevent the 6% tax hike on fuel... sad, very sad.

NC Benz · #3 06-11-2007, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

yeah, the fuel tax here is big business! that and the hotel tax aimed at "tourists" when the fuel prices jumped due to katrina most states dropped the tax hike, but the government around here blocked a bill to prevent the 6% tax hike on fuel... sad, very sad.

Guess I wont be putting any stickers on my car!

Heck I thought I moved AWAY from big government (Wisconsin) just to find that NC does it differently.

And we wonder why there is not a big push for alternative fuels.

Watch.... now the state will go after the Hybrid folks! After all they are not using gas for some of the time! Does that mean I need to pay taxes for my electric Golf cart I drive around?

I have already sent out letter to my State representatives about this article.

Fredmburgess · #4 06-11-2007, 03:14 PM

Consider that they guy buying a Toyota Prius gets a big tax credit, then runs down the road using far less tax-revenue-generating fuel. Instead of a fine he gets a tax credit, is allowed to legally avoid the additional road taxes, and is probably invited to drive alone in the HOV lanes to boot.

The problem is that the structure for collecting road taxes as a use tax - by taxing the fuel - no longer works. It would now make more sense to charge road taxes based on annual mileage and weight of vehicle.

No matter which way you go, someone's going to cry foul! Should be interesting to watch this unfold.

dwoloz · #5 06-11-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC Benz

Guess I wont be putting any stickers on my car!

The stickers are a terrible idea in my opinion

I bought my 240D with a conversion already installed and stickers all over it.

I feel like this needlessly targets the vehicle. I for one don't need to advertise the fact that I'm running an alternative fuel.

I parked my car on a quiet residential street one day and came back to find FOUR individual parking tickets all given within a 5 minute time span. One for covered VIN (it wasn't covered), one for parking more than 28 inches away from the curb (I wasn't), one for no front license plate (no one has a front license plate around here) and one for parking within X feet from a fire hydrant (I wasn't). All tickets except maybe the front license plate were complete bull**** so I am left only to believe that because the officer saw the stickers advertising the use of vegetable oil, this person though they would stick it to me and put in my place but ticketing the hell out of me.

Just my 2 cents

riethoven · #6 06-11-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwoloz

The stickers are a terrible idea in my opinion

I bought my 240D with a conversion already installed and stickers all over it.

I feel like this needlessly targets the vehicle. I for one don't need to advertise the fact that I'm running an alternative fuel.

I parked my car on a quiet residential street one day and came back to find FOUR individual parking tickets all given within a 5 minute time span. One for covered VIN (it wasn't covered), one for parking more than 28 inches away from the curb (I wasn't), one for no front license plate (no one has a front license plate around here) and one for parking within X feet from a fire hydrant (I wasn't). All tickets except maybe the front license plate were complete bull**** so I am left only to believe that because the officer saw the stickers advertising the use of vegetable oil, this person though they would stick it to me and put in my place but ticketing the hell out of me.

Just my 2 cents

"Shhh, be vewy vewy quiet, I am buning veggie." Elmer Fudd

If I ever get to the point of doing Biodiesel, the last thing I would have on my car is any indication of it. I actually intend to take the rear hatch badges off of the 1987 because they are just stuck on. The dead giveaway is the smell. Diesel and Chinese food just smell different.

I have heard that in NY, you don't even want to approach the state. First they will shut you down for making bio in a place where it is not supposed to be made, then they will fine the hell out of you, and tell the feds.

cconbalsam · #7 06-11-2007, 10:41 PM

Forced induction - The big problem with NC law is that you are supposed to post a $2500 bond to use vo and also pay road tax. I have no problem with paying road tax, and when I get my system running I will. But why should anyone have to pay a bond?

vstech · #8 06-11-2007, 03:12 PM

I am under the impression that the state government is actually working on a bill to charge the hybrid drivers a surcharge on their registration, or emission testing to make up for the fuel tax that they don't pay... seriously!

NC Benz · #9 06-11-2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I am under the impression that the state government is actually working on a bill to charge the hybrid drivers a surcharge on their registration, or emission testing to make up for the fuel tax that they don't pay... seriously!

Well then a note to them will only (eh-hem) "grease" the skids.

I'll be here all week. Tip your waitresses. Try the veal.

#10 06-11-2007, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Teixeira says revenue officials are just doing their jobs. But he thinks it's unfair that he was lumped with people who purposely try to avoid fuel taxes.

"Individuals who are trying to do the right thing environmentally cannot and should not continue to take this kind of financial hit," he wrote Gov. Mike Easley.

What is unfair? He was driving on illegal fuel, not paying his taxes and thinks he was right?

He was right to get fined. Too bad other states don't go this far to catch them.

Fredmburgess · #11 06-11-2007, 03:27 PM

I agree that it is not unreasonable to pay some amount of tax since fuel taxes are use taxes intended to pay for road construction and maintenance. However, given a national if not global objective of reducing dependency on fossil fuels, it is reasonable that there should be some form of incentive for those making the effort to use an alternative fuel. Tax reductions or waivers are a common driver of public policy. Not everyone does this just to save a buck, and tax avoidance is not the same as intentional tax evasion.

I just don't think it's as cut and dry as you seem to conclude.

#12 06-11-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredmburgess

Not everyone does this just to save a buck, and tax avoidance is not the same as intentional tax evasion.

I just don't think it's as cut and dry as you seem to conclude.

Most everyone I have met around Denver/Boulder keeps touting that they pay about $0.60/gallon for fuel. Not one of them has said anything about paying their share of road tax yet they always complain how poor the roads are and how long road construction takes to finish.

I hate paying taxes just like everyone else, but road tax is one of the few that I'm slightly more willing give.

F18 · #13 06-11-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Most everyone I have met around Denver/Boulder keeps touting that they pay about $0.60/gallon for fuel. Not one of them has said anything about paying their share of road tax yet they always complain how poor the roads are and how long road construction takes to finish.

I hate paying taxes just like everyone else, but road tax is one of the few that I'm slightly more willing give.

Lance, I agree with you......if your tires touch a public road way you need to pay the tax! This is not a third world country where the term "road" is used to describe something an Ox Cart can barely navigate.

F18 · #14 06-11-2007, 03:37 PM

Interesting.....the quote in the article is "making sure the playing field is level".
How? The government wants everyone to think they have a handle on this new emerging alternative stuff.....but there will never be enough manpower to police everything. So they do the next best thing and go after the guy with the "Red Flag" on his vehicle. The sticker declaring his independance!
The guy meant well....trying to post his commitment and promoting alternative fuel. As my dad said to me back in the early 70's " if you think your man enough to try to create change then you better be man enough to face the consequences alone if need be".

When it all washes out ie. hybrid, veggie oil, electric, ethanol..... the government will just level a Flat Tax on every vehicle that you have registered.......it won't matter if you drive 1 mile or 50K a year or what source of power you use. The money has to come from somewhere for road & bridge repair and transportation programs.

probear · #15 06-11-2007, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F18

Interesting.....the quote in the article is "making sure the playing field is level".
How? The government wants everyone to think they have a handle on this new emerging alternative stuff.....but there will never be enough manpower to police everything. So they do the next best thing and go after the guy with the "Red Flag" on his vehicle. The sticker declaring his independance!
The guy meant well....trying to post his commitment and promoting alternative fuel. As my dad said to me back in the early 70's " if you think your man enough to try to create change then you better be man enough to face the consequences alone if need be".

When it all washes out ie. hybrid, veggie oil, electric, ethanol..... the government will just level a Flat Tax on every vehicle that you have registered.......it won't matter if you drive 1 mile or 50K a year or what source of power you use. The money has to come from somewhere for road & bridge repair and transportation programs.

Wouldn't it be better to just tax the driver? After all, one driver can only put one vehicle on the road at a time.