So the 'light truck' exemption made sense within the context of when it was passed: It was unreasonable to expect these vehicles to be more fuel efficient, given how their primary use case was...
So the 'light truck' exemption made sense within the context of when it was passed: It was unreasonable to expect these vehicles to be more fuel efficient, given how their primary use case was generally to haul more weight and were often used for commerce as much as private ownership.
A lot of the subsequent stuff was worse decisions mostly due to heavy industry lobbying.
I feel the problem could be rectified with a relatively small tweak: Two (ideally recurring) taxes for vehicles: One based on physical footprint (X dollars per mm over Y minimum wheel base), and the other based on weight (X dollars per kg curb weight).
An interesting way to implement that last one could be to expand use of weigh stations, having them replace typical tolls and just charge a flat fee per kg at the weigh station. This would also solve the problem of EV vehicles being able to skip the gas tax.
I mentioned this here last year: https://tildes.net/~transport/1afk/big_suvs_become_most_sold_new_vehicles_in_europe_customers_feel_more_safe_they_feel_more_powerful#comment-al2n
And, in the US at least, automakers are indirectly incentivized to produce larger SUVs due to the structure of fuel economy regulations.
The CAFE standards established in 2012 introduced a size-based efficiency curve. This meant that larger vehicles, like SUVs and light pickup trucks, had fuel efficiency targets that got relatively less stringent the bigger the vehicle got.
Consequently, when faced with regulations meant to improve the fuel efficiency of their existing vehicles, automakers chose to instead increase the size of SUVs and trucks to fit a more lenient part of the curve.
I like the 1900s trucks, not the modern boats. Wish they still made them, but this is why they don't. I will say, the boats are super handy for moving without having to rent moving trucks though,...
I like the 1900s trucks, not the modern boats. Wish they still made them, but this is why they don't.
I will say, the boats are super handy for moving without having to rent moving trucks though, so someone in your near family having one you can use is great since I've had to move like 4 times in the past 5 years.
Yeah, but the boats aren't functionally bigger, they're just bloated. My dad has a 2001 Tundra, it's got a 6 foot bed and a 1.5 cab and even with all of that and a V8 it's still relatively...
Yeah, but the boats aren't functionally bigger, they're just bloated. My dad has a 2001 Tundra, it's got a 6 foot bed and a 1.5 cab and even with all of that and a V8 it's still relatively reasonably sized. The hood isn't egregious, it's not lifted to the moon, it feels like something that belongs on city streets. And he's a house painter so it's used for work purposes. I just don't understand the "functionality" of having to get whatever you're loading another 2 feet off the ground. Manufacturers are even adding the little steps at the tailgate as standard now which seems insane for a vehicle meant for work!
I get all the benefits of having a truck handy, I just hate that they have gotten so big! Viva la station wagon!
So the 'light truck' exemption made sense within the context of when it was passed: It was unreasonable to expect these vehicles to be more fuel efficient, given how their primary use case was generally to haul more weight and were often used for commerce as much as private ownership.
A lot of the subsequent stuff was worse decisions mostly due to heavy industry lobbying.
I feel the problem could be rectified with a relatively small tweak: Two (ideally recurring) taxes for vehicles: One based on physical footprint (X dollars per mm over Y minimum wheel base), and the other based on weight (X dollars per kg curb weight).
An interesting way to implement that last one could be to expand use of weigh stations, having them replace typical tolls and just charge a flat fee per kg at the weigh station. This would also solve the problem of EV vehicles being able to skip the gas tax.
Could you please tag this as USA? Thank you!
Yes! Sorry, good call.
I mentioned this here last year:
https://tildes.net/~transport/1afk/big_suvs_become_most_sold_new_vehicles_in_europe_customers_feel_more_safe_they_feel_more_powerful#comment-al2n
I like the 1900s trucks, not the modern boats. Wish they still made them, but this is why they don't.
I will say, the boats are super handy for moving without having to rent moving trucks though, so someone in your near family having one you can use is great since I've had to move like 4 times in the past 5 years.
Yeah, but the boats aren't functionally bigger, they're just bloated. My dad has a 2001 Tundra, it's got a 6 foot bed and a 1.5 cab and even with all of that and a V8 it's still relatively reasonably sized. The hood isn't egregious, it's not lifted to the moon, it feels like something that belongs on city streets. And he's a house painter so it's used for work purposes. I just don't understand the "functionality" of having to get whatever you're loading another 2 feet off the ground. Manufacturers are even adding the little steps at the tailgate as standard now which seems insane for a vehicle meant for work!
I get all the benefits of having a truck handy, I just hate that they have gotten so big! Viva la station wagon!