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Idaho Drivers Charged up over Hybrid Fees

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by wjtracy, Oct 6, 2015.

  1. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Just gotta love it when state legislators decide to tax hybrids, and then you wind up with SUV owners (eg; Highlander Hybrid in the video) getting penalized simply because their 25 MPG vehicle has the word "hybrid" in the vehicle description.

    Idaho drivers charged up over state's hybrid fees | North Idaho - KXLY.com



    Believe Idaho is the only state taxing hybrids right now, for the obvious reason it makes no sense.
     
  2. Stevevee

    Stevevee Active Member

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    They should knock off that type of nonsense and face reality. Here in Vermont they raised the gas tax by adding an increase per gallon, in tandem with a percentage fee. That's what states should be doing to address shortfalls. PLUS, make sure the money goes to transportation, not some black hole.

    http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-how-vermont-raised-its-gas-

    It certainly doesn't address the electric vehicles, but for now, most of them pay a huge sales tax when purchased. At some point if they become a meaningful percentage of cars, something else will have to be done.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    isn't highlander hybrid a hybrid?
     
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    It's a hybrid and a SUV.
    An important part of the video when the lady says she asked her husband if they should ever get another HiHy? In other words, when you penalize, it gives people a second though if hybrid is the right idea.

    Does the link work for you?
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think that is the intent of the legislators, to legislate hybrids out of existence and get gassers back on the road paying more fuel tax.
     
  6. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...well in Virginia the rural drivers need pick-ups and drive long distances, and they are upset that they are getting slammed with the gaso tax burden. So state hybrid fees are an attempt to address that emotion, more or less hybrids are a vulnerable scape goat.

    But as Toyota points out, taxes need to be technology neutral. If states want to tax all vehicles over 25 MPG, then that is OK. But to single out hybrids (vs. aluminum cars etc) for punishment is the problem.
     
    #6 wjtracy, Oct 6, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2015
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    but it's okay when it's a tax credit.:p
     
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  8. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Well if tax credits are involved it's hard to argue against modest fees. But that's the thing, hybrids do not get tax credits. So $75/yr adds up to $750 penalty over typical ownership period.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you'll get no argument from me, that's why i think the legislation is influenced by big oil. it's unlikely that earth friendly politicians are looking for the demise of alt fuel cars.
     
  10. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    Does Vermont tax electricity? If so, at what rate? (Maybe they are doing something already)
     
  11. Stevevee

    Stevevee Active Member

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    Not sure why it did that, simple html link. At least they have a good search.

    How Vermont Raised Its Gas Tax
     
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