Green vehicle tax hike should take more than engine size into account

JUDGING by your letters page it would seem readers have made the case for almost every kind and size of vehicle to be exempted from any increase in registration fees in the upcoming budget.

Recently I read in a learned American journal that the Greens’ favourite hybrid car actually has a much bigger manufacturing carbon footprint than the massive Hummer.

And the article pointed out that hybrids use a large number of batteries to store electricity.

As the Greens would know, the smelting of metals for use in car batteries is a major cause of environmental pollution, as is the disposal of these batteries at the end of their life.

If a comprehensive approach is taken to taxing motor vehicles based on their contribution to environmental pollution, this should be based not just on engine size but should also include the manufacturing footprint and the environmental impact of materials used. In which case, we could end up taxing a Toyota Prius in a similar way to a Hummer.

Perhaps the most sensible approach would be to reward those people who drive older cars. By recycling cars rather than buying new ones, they are minimising the negative carbon footprint caused by the manufacturing and disposal processes — albeit at a somewhat higher impact while being driven.

Maybe the Government should not be trying to find simplistic solutions to complex problems. And maybe the Green ministers should return to riding their ministerial bicycles and get out of those hybrids.

Donal Fellows

Cois na hAbhainn

Bailick Road

Midleton

Co Cork