Vehicle Emissions

[Drago]

Just been listening to Radio 4, a bit of a discussion about vehicle emissions, the forthcoming diesel Toxicity Tax in London, and how during on road testing VW vehicles were churning out as much crud as a typical HGV.

And then it hit me.

Road tax from year 3 onwards should be based upon the emissions from the MOT. The better condition, and better maintained your car, the less you pay.

Manufacturers can't cheat it, and it encourages people to maintain their car, thus giving us cleaner air.

In fact, the MOT emissions figure could be multiplied by the previous years mileage, which would also incentivise people to drive less.

First im repairing ovens, then I'm trotting out an idea like this. The Goon Party have nothing on old Lord Bernard Farquhar.

 

[KneesUp]

I've always thought road tax should be put onto fuel. Impossible then to dodge it,and it would also disincentivise driving, and make the amount of 'road tax' (ostensibly for repairing and improving the roads) directly proportional to the amount each person used them.

I can smell and taste the difference between VAG cars and vans and the others. But as I'm not a customer I suppose I won't get any compensation for the poison I have to breathe as a direct consequence of them knowingly and deliberately breaking the law.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I like your idea as it is a type of pay-per-usage concept. Problem is. VW cars owners will score since their cars defeat the MOT test method. But tell me, do MOT tests test for NOx or just CO2?

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

What about new cars?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

What about new cars?

What about them?

Edit: I forgot, new cars don't get MOT'd.

 

[Drago]

The first three years the tax would be set by the government, much as it is now. Electric cars would also be taxed, albeit at a lesser rate, to reflect the fact that the majority of electricity in the UK comes from burning stuff, and that they still contribute to congestion.

 

[Jody]

But tell me, do MOT tests test for NOx or just CO2?

Could be wrong but I think diesel cars are only tested on the amount of soot produced and not C02 etc

 

[Drago]

Diseases have a visible smoke test only, but under my dictatorship, sorry, government, they'd test NOx emissions too.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

...the majority of electricity in the UK comes from burning stuff, and that they still contribute to congestion.

We could suggest they start burning the paper you write your great ideas down on...

 

[User33236]

Could be wrong but I think diesel cars are only tested on the amount of soot produced and not C02 etc

My diesel, tested on Saturday, only had a 'smoke test'.

 

[Drago]

Considering how filthily polluting they are, its a disgrace that diesels are subject to such rudimentary emissions checks during the MOT.

 

[Jody]

It's a great idea in theory @Drago and I like the idea of a multiplier for mileage driven but as with most things there will be a way round what you propose. Like VW setting the car into a lean map when the bonnet is up, if the manufacturer doesn't do it the aftermarket would or even driving another car on the ramp to faulsify the C02/soot tests. I have seen that done many a time

 

[Jody]

Considering how filthily polluting they are, its a disgrace that diesels are subject to such rudimentary emissions checks during the MOT.

Indeed. It's not even a stringent test for diesel. Just rev it a few times and see how much soot is produced but that won't take into account the soot produced when under heavy boost and running on the road as it should. My last few cars have been diesel but I don't think I will have another now. Currently have a sporty car but running on gas and its way cheaper to run than a diesel and cleaner than its equivilent non converted petrol.

 

[Drago]

MOT cheating goes on already, so little would change there. Only a tiny percentage would be affected by dodgy testers.

Manufacturers cheating should be sent to prison, which you would hope would be incentive enough not to cheat, although any firm founded by the Nazi party should always arouse suspicion.

 

[Sandra6]

I thought we didn't call it road tax?