Venango County Tea Party Patriots

A non-partisan, non-profit, non-member, association dedicated to educating the public and promoting the principles of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free market economics, and all other lawful activities.

electric cars

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EPA Gives Car Buying Tips

An Environmental Protection Agency’s website that offers car buying tips lists the best and worst vehicles based on fuel economy. Small electric vehicles top the most efficient list, while luxury vehicles are listed as the least efficient.Nine of the top 10 cars are electric vehicles. The 2014 Smart Fortwo electric drive convertible and coupe, which have only two seats, tops the list with 107 mpg.

Visitors to the website can also read about why driving a small car is beneficial – from reducing climate change to less dependence on foreign sources of oil.
The website also makes suggestions of how to reduce climate change. In addition to driving fuel-efficient cars, visitors who are shopping for a car are told “walking, biking or taking public transit more often” can help.
Read more.

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States Revolting Against Electric Cars

States are quickly learning that promoting electric cars is coming with a high price tag. Colorado has joined a growing number of states that are imposing fees on electric and alternative vehicles to recover “lost” gas tax revenues.

As of this year, Coloradans driving electric, alternative fuel and high-efficiency vehicles will pay a $50 registration fee to capture more revenue from vehicles that use less traditional gasoline. This is part of a growing trend by which states are looking to recoup declining gas tax revenues as vehicles become more fuel efficient and drivers buy more electric vehicles.

Colorado is one of at least five states that have special fees on hybrid and electric vehicles — Colorado, Nebraska, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington. Earlier this year, Oregon lawmakers were discussing a bill that would impose a fee on electric cars and those getting 55 miles per gallon or better. The bill is still sitting in the state legislature.

“States are increasingly looking at how to recoup ‘lost’ gas tax revenues for electric and hybrid vehicles. In addition to fees on such vehicles, many states tax alternative fuels, sometimes including electricity,” Jaime Rall, senior transportation policy specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures, told The Daily Caller News Foundation in an email.

The problem state lawmakers face is that the value of the gas tax is falling due to inflation and rising construction costs. This is coupled with the fact that gasoline consumption is falling. According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. drivers and businesses used about 133 billion gallons which is 6 percent below 2007’s record-high consumption levels.

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DOT Wants Noiser Electric Cars

The Department of Transportation is proposing new regulations that would require hybrid and electric cars to make more noise when their engines are running.

The rules are designed to make it easier for pedestrians to hear the quiet automobiles when they are approaching.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the change would make it easier for hybrid and electric car drivers to share the road.

“Safety is our highest priority, and this proposal will help keep everyone using our nation’s streets and roadways safe, whether they are motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians, and especially the blind and visually impaired,” LaHood said in a statement released by the Transportation Department.

Under the requirement, cars would be required to be heard above typical street noises when they are traveling at speeds less than 18 miles per hour.

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