Disincentivizing hybrids
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Ronald Roseveare
I would like to share with Gov. Bob McDonnell my perspective on the impending transportation bill awaiting his signature. My background is in engineering. Thus, I try to evaluate problems from an analytical approach.
The one part of the bill that seems completely contradictory to existing Virginia code pertains to the proposed $100 annual fee (tax) on hybrid vehicles.
Roseveare is a retired, married, engineer living at Smith Mountain Lake.
March 6, 2013 - 6:43 AM
Granted, the lead-acid cells in your conventional IC automobile are not environmentally friendly. But there is likely a lead-acid cell in your hybid, too. As well as quite a few other environmentally friendly batteries.
There should be no incentive for hybrids. And no tax breaks. If the technology makes it in the market, it should make it on its own, not because one thinks it is a grand idea to trade one pollutant for another.
And don’t even get me started on these “plug-in” electric vehicles. Just where do you think that electricity comes from?
That’s right George. The manufacturing of the batteries produces toxic waste that must be disposed. And contrary to lib thinking, electricity does not come from the magic wall outlet. It probably comes from your local coal-fired power plant. How about giving me an incentive to buy a
…buy a SUV so that I can help GM recover and keep those good paying auto worker jobs in the US.