Netherlands to Tax Drivers by the Kilometer; GPS Trackers in Every Vehicle
November 15th, 2009Via: AFP:
The Dutch government said Friday it wants to introduce a “green” road tax by the kilometre from 2012 aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent and halving congestion.
“Each vehicle will be equipped with a GPS device that tracks how many kilometres are driven and when and where. This data will be then be sent to a collection agency that will send out the bill,” the transport ministry said in a statement.
Ownership and sales taxes, about a quarter of the cost of a new car, will be scrapped and replaced by the “price per kilometre” system aimed at cutting the Netherlands’ carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent.
“Traffic jams will be halved and it helps the environment,” the ministry said.
Dutch motorists driving a standard family saloon will be charged 3 euro cents per kilometre (seven US cents per mile) in 2012. That would increase to 6.7 cents (16 US cents per mile) in 2018, according to the proposed law.
Every vehicle type will have a base rate, which depends on its size, weight and carbon dioxide emissions.
Taxis, vehicles for the disabled, buses, motorcycles and classic cars will all be exempt.
“An alternative payment will be introduced for foreign vehicles,” the ministry statement added.
The Dutch cabinet approved the road tax bill on Friday. It will need the backing of parliament before it becomes law.
Dumbest. Idea. Ever.
If you want a proportional emissions tax, there is a very simple way to do it – tax the fuel. No need to worry about taxing different vehicle types based on size and efficiency: If it uses more gas, it costs more.
The proposed system will need new equipment, a collection agency, billing system, compliance officers, administrators and god knows what else.
I wonder how hard it will be to disable or fake the GPS unit?
Sounds like a ‘contrived new industries to stave off collapse’ cash cow!
@bloodnok : you’re proposing something that makes sense, that is your flaw. If the only intended purpose of this legislation would be to cut down on emissions, your proposed solution would make sense.
However, it seems pretty obvious that with GPS trackers installed in every car, it’s more about control & surveillance of the populace than about anything else. When/if ever this is implemented, I’m sure they’ll say that anyone who gets the gps disabled is a criminal. Bend over and take it in, slaves!
Fuel is already heavily taxed over there. “In total, taxes account for 68,84% of the total price of petrol and 56,55% of the total price of diesel.”