| How ironic it is that the standard of living, enjoyed by | | | | They may be angered by the tax, but they may just |
| successive generations in the UK since the once | | | | pay-up. It does ,though, seem a little odd to penalise |
| mighty 'smoke-stack' industries emerged out of the | | | | people when they are not driving their more heavily |
| 19th century industrial revolution to provide the | | | | polluting vehicles! |
| 'engine' for wealth creation, should now be under | | | | It must be the case that even small improvements |
| threat from the need to reduce some effects of | | | | to reduce CO2 emissions are worthwhile, in order to |
| industrial success.Having provided the taxable income | | | | help avoid major disasters on a global scale.One cause |
| and capital required to sustain the fiscal policies of | | | | of pollution, the car, is often put forward as an |
| government ,the fruits of an industrial age may now | | | | arch-enemy of the environment. Given the immense |
| have to yield a further stream of UK taxes. These | | | | benefits the internal combustion engine has brought |
| are the green taxes designed to reshape the way | | | | to modern societies, attempts to remove the car as |
| modern society uses scarce global resources, | | | | a form of transport or recreation is too extreme a |
| particularly those used to provide energy, and cut | | | | measure. Other options should be first exhausted. |
| CO2 emissions. | | | | Manufacturersshould be encouraged, perhaps by |
| That developing countries want what the developed | | | | taxing policies or even financial incentives, to |
| countries have is understandable. But, with the best | | | | introduce more environmentally-friendly cars, and |
| intentions, can a UK population, dragooned into | | | | assist major oil companies, and others, in the |
| behaviour patterns unilaterally to reduce emissions | | | | developing the use of alternatives to fossil fuels. |
| and save the planet , make such a great difference? | | | | When the tax payer has some real options to help |
| Industrialisation in a small number of countries, notably | | | | reduce carbon emissions, then a taxation regime to |
| China and India, is currently growing at an | | | | deal with unnecessary pollution appears more |
| unprecedented rate. The argument for the status | | | | justified, if raising money is not the main objective of |
| quo is that the danger of climate change cannot be | | | | the exercise. |
| averted by the small-scale and puny efforts of some | | | | Now, of course, there have been many |
| (but not all)western countries. | | | | developments in the production of greener cars. Also, |
| If this view were to hold sway in the UK , then it is | | | | there are ways drivers can drive greener. It is also |
| possible that no improvements in the position on | | | | true,that there is too much conflicting information out |
| climate change, or the conserving of valuable global | | | | there at the moment. People are confused by the |
| resources ,will ever be made. It is just possible | | | | choices currently available. There is a need to sort |
| though, that if the UK together with the rest of the | | | | the sheep from the goats. Education will always be |
| developed world were to mend its ways ,its example | | | | essential as advances in greener cars and fuel |
| may be followed by the developing countries. These | | | | technology continue to be made. |
| countries could be encouraged to also follow the best | | | | There will soon be more electric cars and hybrids. |
| practices and energy -efficient policies which have | | | | Fuel technology is already developing at a rapid rate. |
| been and are still being developed out of the | | | | For example, in the mid-west of the US, corn is in |
| experience and knowledge acquired by the older | | | | great demand for the production of alternative fuels |
| industrialised nations. | | | | ( like ethanol and bio-diesel). |
| But will the so called green taxes do the trick? | | | | All this means that the prospective car buyer must |
| Taxation is a notoriously blunt instrument and will | | | | keep up to date on automotive developments so as |
| often not fall most on those with the ability (or | | | | to be able to make the right choice of |
| culpability) to pay. | | | | environmentally-friendly car. In making this choice,the |
| The gas guzzling residents of the London Borough of | | | | buyer will need to watch out to make sure the |
| Kingston,for instance, may not be affected by the | | | | benefits for the environment are high, and the green |
| much higher parking fees to be levied on their 4x4s. | | | | taxes low. |