HUMMER TAX: Massachusetts Considers Higher Fees For Gas Guzzlers

Another day, another financial incentive for people to go green -- Massachusetts is considering requiring owners of inefficient vehicles to pay more for registration in what is being called a Hummer Tax:

Governor Deval Patrick said today he is looking at a Hummer tax -- adding higher registration fees for gas-guzzling cars and offering discounts for those that do less harm to the environment. One industry opponent said it would be the first such fee in the nation on the state level.

The suggestion comes as Patrick prepares to unveil a fuller version of his much-awaited transportation plan on Friday. While he would not release details today, Patrick said at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce appearance that any gas tax increase would be coupled with a freeze on toll rates.

Environmentalists applauded the registration proposal, saying it would encourage people to buy smaller and more fuel-efficient cars, which are increasingly seen as key to curbing global warming. Similar proposals have been proposed in Massachusetts since at least 2001, but without the prominent backing of a sitting governor.

RELATED:
::Massachusetts May Pay For Roads By Charging Drivers' Mileage
::China Offered To Pay People To Have More Efficient Cars

Comments

[rosiebond007]

GREAT IDEA - GOOD WAY TO RAISE SOME TAXES.

TELL CALIFORNIA -

[dave1967]

This should only happen for those buying the gas-guzzling vehicles AFTER the new law is passed. I own a Toyota RAV4, which I bought 2 years ago, and have already put 30000 miles on it. I cannot trade it in, because I now owe more than it is worth in trade-in. I should not be punished for a vehicle I bought 2 years ago.

[raechel]

Sorry -- it's not like the irresponsibility of the Hummer is a big surprise to anyone. You contribute more than your share to the polution of the planet, you pay more than your share. And yes, unfortunately, all of us are responsible for our own past bad decisions.

[EinChicago]

But how does someone driving a Hummer 500 miles per month contribute more to their share of teh pollution than a milehog driving his Prius 2000 miles per month?

[nevadagirl]

I drive a RAV4 and it gets 30 mpg on the highway.

[tmc553]

This should be national policy. The people who drive the vehicles that pollute the most and cause the most wear and tear on highways should pay for the damage they cause. No one needs a Hummer or any of the other monstrosities that crowd our roads, destroy our environment and finance terrorism. Anyone who feels compelled to drive a vehicle that helps them compensate for whatever inadequacies they are experiencing should probably seek counseling.

[JSonOrcas]

Excellent idea and long overdue! The federal govt. has for too long subsidized SUV sales with business owner tax credits, which helped drive their rapid adoption. SUV's were instrumental in increasing oil demand, which resulted in the rise of gas prices. Aside from gas prices, SUV's are responsible for a lot other externalities, including higher insurance rates, more damage to roads, damage to other cars and the people in them in accidents, decreased visibility and resulting accidents, etc. Let's tax SUV's and gas guzzlers and use the funds to offset the externalities they cause. The tax will also help decrease demand and hopefully some day dramatically reduce SUV numbers.

[coastalcarla]

California should do that, too! It's outrageous how many Hummers are rolling through the cities here. It's a major status symbol to live in the city and have a Hummer - and only drive it to the mall and back. These idiots buy an all terrain vehicle, and then the stupid thing never sees a drop of mud in its life. Shiny as the day it rolled off the assembly line. And they take up 1-1/2 parking spaces, too!

[jezuzhchryst]

Like I said ~ California has had a gas-guzzler tax for many years now. Yes those behemoth road warrior types have paid a big fat surcharge to the state for the thrill of cutting you off and running you over in a tank. I always feel a little sorry for them .... so desperate to show us all what bad asses they are and what bad citizens they are. You would be surprised how many of them are blonde women .... yes blondes ..... I do not understand that exactly either but I have seen it a thousand times. Fortunately they are hugely outnumbered by Prius owners and the winds of change are blowing our way.

[doriath22]

This should have been introduced seven years ago!

[FrTown]

On Che.ney's watch?

[HappyRabbit]

Absolutely! Instead of a tax policy to re-distribute wealth willy nilly, a tax policy that is structured to implement a thoughtful and necessary environmental policy.

[AbbieHoffman2]

6,680 lbs of ego rolling down the road with just the driver in it.....Is this America today?

[AbbieHoffman2]

6,680 lbs. of ego. Please someone kill the H2.

[AddictedToHope]

I'm pretty sure GM is planning just that. Stopping production anyway.

Not sure if they'll try to sell it off.

[plantguy]

What ever happened to this be a free country?

[quindy]

Free to pollute?

[doriath22]

Oink!

[Jofrbe]

Unfortunately freedom to some still means not only crapping on ourselves but the entire planet as well. Let's not forget that the U.S. constitutes approx. 5% of the world's population and uses about 25% of its resources. While the process of that imbalance being righted will not be comfortable it ultimately has to happen and has quite obviously already begun.

[raechel]

You pay for the damage you do. Still free, still your choice. Just no free ride on the backs of your compadres.

[RealPlumber]

The freedom comes with a price, currently the price for our abuse of oil products (ie bad mileage vehicles) is being paid in blood from our troops. I say it is no longer acceptable to trade blood for oil (and war profiteers). Just the fact that we have our troops dying for oil should be incentive enough to change your life. You are fee, free to make the intelligent and moral choice. Every drop of gas is precious, just don't forget how it came to be in your gas tank.

[elizaconnors]

It took awhile but Governor Patrick is getting the hang of this. Good proposal!

Already the talk radio folks are blowing a gasket, so to speak, because they say that it taxes large families higher. It will be fun to listen to them spit and foment over this very reasonable plan.

[jezuzhchryst]

California already has a gas guzzler tax. It has had it for many years. The ego of a fool is something you can never tax too much because it is the only thing he/she will protect at all costs. There should be a federal tax on gas guzzlers.

[ckleinholz]

It's funny that the Hummer has become a target for environmentalists. I understand why. It's not rocket-science, after all, it's the biggest target and the most military looking vehicle on the road. Yes, it gets crappy gas mileage. However, a Rivera with a V8 engine gets worse gas mileage than an H2. But I don't see anyone protesting Buicks or chasing down their owners.

As a matter of fact an H2 gets equivalent gas mileage as a host of minivans, SUV's, trucks, crossovers and some sedans on the road. The perception is that the smaller the vehicle, the better the gas mileage, but in some cases that's just not true. The entire auto industry needs a make-over, not just Hummer. I understand why this vehicle, with it's blatant image of excess, is a target but I think it's been improperly singled out.

I think this tax would unfairly target industries that have to use larger vehicles to do their jobs. The small contractor that drives a truck because he can't fit lumber and tools in a Prius, for example. You can't regulate peoples tastes with taxes. It hasn't stopped people from smoking and it won't stop them from buying excessively huge vehicles.

The auto industry, however, is not the public at large. They can be regulated and should be.

[quindy]

If you have to use larger vehicle to do business, you will most probably have some tax write offs. To come to New York City on Friday night in your Hummer to have some fun should be taxed.

[DebianDog]

Are you HIGH? The H2 gets NO WHERE NEAR what a minivan gets. it is LUCKY to get 12 and "real world" is more like 10. A good minivan gets 24 MPG and even the bad ones get 19.

If you need a business truck then a tax could be waved.

[NuAgeDok]

All for it!!!

Since only 2 of the 10 cars made in the world that get over 40 mpg are available in the US, somebody has got to do something to change the culture.

[Chem is she]

GREAT idea. Should have happened YEARS ago! Go Mass!