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Massachusetts considering raising fuel tax

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:32:00 +0000

In the next 20 years, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will need to fund a $15 to $19 million gap to maintain its transit system. Since there’s no such a thing as a free lunch, Governor Deval Patrick (D) is currently suggesting an increase in the fuel tax of $0.19 per gallon to raise the money. This would means that the total tax paid on gasoline in the state will be $0.609 per gallon, while the tax on diesel would be $0.669 per gallon. End result: a rollback on a proposed Massachusetts Turnpike toll increase, no fare increase on the Boston public transit system (among other benefits) and making Massachusetts the state with one with the highest gasoline taxes in the U.S. and the fourth highest tax on diesel (right behind Hawaii, New York and Connecticut). Gov. Patrick has also proposed to move registration fees upward for large, gas-guzzling vehicles with the so-called “Hummer Tax.” [Source: Green Car Congress ] Auto Blog: Legislation and Policy , USA Massachusetts considering raising fuel tax originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Massachusetts considering raising fuel tax

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers "Hummer Tax"

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:56:00 +0000

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) is said to be considering adjusting registration fees skyward for large, gas-guzzling vehicles while discounting the same for fuel-saving models. The controversial legislation has earned the nickname “Hummer Tax” since it is rather obviously geared towards large SUVs like those sold by GM’s struggling HUMMER division. Opponents to the plan warn that the charges could have a disproportionately large impact on large families and small business owners that rely on large vehicles to perform their daily routines. On the other hand, proponents for the legislation highlight the fact that it’s technology neutral, meaning that any vehicle that manages to save fuel over its competitors would qualify for the savings, regardless of what kind of fuel or technology is being used. There are also movements within the current Massachusetts administration that hope to raise the state’s gas tax or increase the price of tolls. One problem with a gas tax increase is that the move towards more fuel efficient vehicles would lower the amount of income the state is taking in, so an alternative plan would tax drivers based on mileage driven. [Source: The Boston Globe ] Auto Blog: HUMMER , Legislation and Policy , Green Daily , USA Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers “Hummer Tax” originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers "Hummer Tax"

Writing on the wall: GM shutters high-performance vehicle division

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:11:00 +0000

How does GM prove to the U.S. government that it can be a viable company again? By ditching high-performance vehicles. In the Viability Plan/$16.6 billion request submitted to Congress this week, GM said it would focus on eco-friendly cars and hyped up the Volt in many ways. The flipside of this is that GM’s High Performance Vehicle Operations team was disbanded. That means that development of cars like the low-volume Chevrolet Cobalt SS (above), the HHR SS and the V-series Caddies have been stopped. Engineers from the HPVO will move to other products in the Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet and Pontiac lineup. Maybe, GM says, if GM gets back on its feet, the HPVO unit might be pulled back together. Let’s hope that if it does, the meaning of “performance” will equal green, not just fast. [Source: Automotive News (subs req'd), Autoblog ] Auto Blog: Etc. , GM , Green Daily Writing on the wall: GM shutters high-performance vehicle division originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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MIT GreenWheel: Simply an electric bicycle revolution

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:26:00 +0000

One definition of the word elegant is “to be gracefully concise and simple.” In the future, the dictionary just might include the GreenWheel as a product that illustrates this principle perfectly. From the MIT Smartcities team that gave us the stackable cars concept and the RoboScooter ( still a go ), comes a wheel that can turn an ordinary bicycle into a very desirable electric one in an easy, cost effective manner. Enclosing a motor, A123 Systems batteries and a generator into a small aluminum pancake hub, the GreenWheel can give you up to 25 miles of propulsion, or much more if you don’t mind pedaling. Unlike conversions kits from the past, it forgoes running wires the length of your bike by incorporating the magic of bluetooth to control the twist-throttle. Over a dozen different configurations of the GreenWheel are scheduled to be tried and tested by a variety of cyclists this spring. Once the the team analyzes their feedback, an ultimate configuration of power, speed and cost will be settled on and mass production will get under way. With an estimated cost of “several hundred dollars,” they better plan on making a lot of them since not only are they a wonderful “solution” for several cities and ridesharing programs already showing interest, but in a world-economy that can’t afford to buy cars the way they used to, the GreenWheel should have a bright future. [Source: MSNBC ] Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , On Two Wheels , USA MIT GreenWheel: Simply an electric bicycle revolution originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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MIT GreenWheel: Simply an electric bicycle revolution