FT: Green Vehicle Promotion Act of 2017 (law)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

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Sponsor: Tirnam

[Tirnam]

First transportation counts for 26% of greenhouse gas in the US. Between 1990 and 2014, GHG emissions in the transportation sector increased more in absolute terms than any other sector. (EPA).

The automobile industry made a great effort to produce and offer to the consumers greener cars (hybrid, electric, more efficient engines, ...) yet in 2010 vehicles CO2 emissions in the US were still the double than in Japan or Europe.

The purpose of this bill is to encourage people to realize the impact for the environment of their car, and hopefully to make greener car more affordable for the household and make polluting car less affordable.
We also hope that this bill will convince people to change an old vehicle to a new one with the extra bonus.

[ASPN]

I helped Tirnam brainstorm this bill, so it should be obvious my opinion on it. I know programs like cash for Clunkers had been successful in the past, so I see this act leading to more eco-friendly cars on the road.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

For the second time today, I thank the honorable Member for taking the time to tackle this important issue head-on. I wonder if the sponsor has any information regarding how automobile sales in recent years break down according to the brackets established in Section 2. Assuming the number of polluting vehicles sold each year is significantly greater than the number of green vehicles sold, this bill should pay for itself in the short term; otherwise, we would need to look into either reducing the subsidies in Section 2 or increasing revenue through a gas tax or some other means.

[Tirnam]

I do not have a complete information on that. But here maybe a few indications:
According to this website, 17.5 million cars were sold in the US in 2016

The 30 models the most sold represent half of the total sales.
Out of these 30 models:
-22 would require a $2,000 malus
-1 a $1,000 malus
-2 a $500 malus
-1 would neither have a bonus or a malus
-1 a $500 bonus
-2 a $2000 bonus

And this is the result by choosing the best eco-friendly option for each model (for example, Kia Soul have an electric option with 0 gram of CO2 but a basic Kia Soul would have a $2,000 malus). (CO2 emissions per model according the EPA)

I was thinking about a gas tax increase if necessary, but I think these numbers show that the bill should pay for it self, at least in the first years.

This kind of bonus-malus on cars exists in France and in Belgium. And to have an idea of the impact of that measure here are some figures for France:
- The sales of cars that benefit of a bonus has increased by 50%
- The market share of eco-friendly cars has increased from 20.6% to 35%
- On average CO2 emissions by car were of 260g of CO2 per mile in 2000, down to 184g of CO2 per mile in 2014

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

With those figures, I don't think there will be any trouble assembling the funds to finance this program, at least for the first several years. If there are no further questions, and no suggestions for amendment, I will move for a final vote tomorrow afternoon.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Alright, then; I move for a final vote on this legislation. Members have 24 hours to object.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Division! Members will vote AYE, NAY, or Abstain. Voting will continue for 72 hours or until all Members have voted.


AYE!

[RFayette]

I vote AYE

[ASPN]

Aye

[Tirnam]

Aye

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

With four votes in favor and one Member not voting, this legislation has been ADOPTED.

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