dave
Answer
All hybrid cars on the market right now are petrol/electric. However, no hybrid car on the market right now are plug-in capable to the mains, so the only fuel source is the usual petrol/gasoline that every other car uses. So, hybrid drivers pay the same petrol tax that every other petrol car driver pays, built into the price of petrol at the pump. Some calculators:
http://www.abd.org.uk/fuel_tax_calculator.htm
http://www.petrolprices.com/fuel-tax.html
Otherwise, they still have to pay the usual VED (excise duty), based on their CO2 emissions. You can look up that info here: http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/index.asp
All hybrid cars on the market right now are petrol/electric. However, no hybrid car on the market right now are plug-in capable to the mains, so the only fuel source is the usual petrol/gasoline that every other car uses. So, hybrid drivers pay the same petrol tax that every other petrol car driver pays, built into the price of petrol at the pump. Some calculators:
http://www.abd.org.uk/fuel_tax_calculator.htm
http://www.petrolprices.com/fuel-tax.html
Otherwise, they still have to pay the usual VED (excise duty), based on their CO2 emissions. You can look up that info here: http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/index.asp
If gas is so expensive why don't the government encourage uses of electric or hybrid cars?
Joey
Answer
Is gas expensive in the US? Our national average price is now just under $4.00 per gallon. In the UK the same fuel would cost you over $8.00. But what is the real price of gasoline and what is the Government's role in the cost of energy?
Government has a very close role with corporations. That was once a definition of "fascism" but like a lack of privacy what was unacceptable yesterday is often not even discussed today. In a perversion of the term, in a modern "Democracy" part of the art of politics is in manipulating the population. It is sometimes hard to discern a governmental position as often politicians seem to be saying one thing and civil servants doing another and lobbyists advocating yet another.
Actions may speak louder than words. A recent study has shown that world wide governments are subsidizing fossil fuels (those things that have been around for 150 to 300 years) 12 times more than renewable energy.1 It is hard to find alternative answers when you are not looking. National funding for new research is being dictated by Petrochemical companies.2 In this way Vision is competing with established Power gained though Wealth. Wealth often gives political power but not necessarily Vision.
But "the government" is not one solid mass. It is composed of individuals. Sometimes this is to the consternation of Fossil fuel companies who feel that the a government that has been bought and paid for is going against their wishes. Sometimes it may be simply another limited bargain for other perks. Many places do have tax credits for economical vehicles. These tax credits are coming at a time when most people are not thinking of buying electric cars and supplies of such vehicles are very limited. The government is funding building of some renewable energy associated factories but mostly for those with political connections. The government is also moving many of its military operations to use more renewable energy. But this may be more a move designed at self preservation than largess.
What could government be doing? An advertising campaign could clearly spell out the advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles. Electric motors are quiet, vibration free, have few moving parts, are maintenance light, highly efficient, high torque from 0 RPM, lighter, lower the center of gravity in a vehicle and are in many ways a better drive-train than any other available choice. The problem is getting electricity to the motor. Trolleys solved the problem 100 years ago with over head transmission. They were so successful that it took a conspiracy to destroy them.3 Today's technology is electrified roadways and wireless energy transfer.4 This will be far cheaper than installing public charging stations.5 But it would require government support and possibly funding. It would provide another way to collect highway taxes, would lower the cost of each vehicle (by eliminating most batteries) eliminate the need for charging stations, eliminate any issue of charging availability and charging times.
Is gas expensive in the US? Our national average price is now just under $4.00 per gallon. In the UK the same fuel would cost you over $8.00. But what is the real price of gasoline and what is the Government's role in the cost of energy?
Government has a very close role with corporations. That was once a definition of "fascism" but like a lack of privacy what was unacceptable yesterday is often not even discussed today. In a perversion of the term, in a modern "Democracy" part of the art of politics is in manipulating the population. It is sometimes hard to discern a governmental position as often politicians seem to be saying one thing and civil servants doing another and lobbyists advocating yet another.
Actions may speak louder than words. A recent study has shown that world wide governments are subsidizing fossil fuels (those things that have been around for 150 to 300 years) 12 times more than renewable energy.1 It is hard to find alternative answers when you are not looking. National funding for new research is being dictated by Petrochemical companies.2 In this way Vision is competing with established Power gained though Wealth. Wealth often gives political power but not necessarily Vision.
But "the government" is not one solid mass. It is composed of individuals. Sometimes this is to the consternation of Fossil fuel companies who feel that the a government that has been bought and paid for is going against their wishes. Sometimes it may be simply another limited bargain for other perks. Many places do have tax credits for economical vehicles. These tax credits are coming at a time when most people are not thinking of buying electric cars and supplies of such vehicles are very limited. The government is funding building of some renewable energy associated factories but mostly for those with political connections. The government is also moving many of its military operations to use more renewable energy. But this may be more a move designed at self preservation than largess.
What could government be doing? An advertising campaign could clearly spell out the advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles. Electric motors are quiet, vibration free, have few moving parts, are maintenance light, highly efficient, high torque from 0 RPM, lighter, lower the center of gravity in a vehicle and are in many ways a better drive-train than any other available choice. The problem is getting electricity to the motor. Trolleys solved the problem 100 years ago with over head transmission. They were so successful that it took a conspiracy to destroy them.3 Today's technology is electrified roadways and wireless energy transfer.4 This will be far cheaper than installing public charging stations.5 But it would require government support and possibly funding. It would provide another way to collect highway taxes, would lower the cost of each vehicle (by eliminating most batteries) eliminate the need for charging stations, eliminate any issue of charging availability and charging times.
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