A specific road use tax on EVs and hybrids makes no sense.
Given the harms caused by traditional vehicles, society should welcome the decline in fuel excise revenue caused by the transition to EVs – in the same way we should welcome declining revenue from cigarette taxes.
Vehicle registration fees make only a modest contribution to road costs. That’s why all motorists should pay a road-user charge. The payment should be based on a combination of vehicle mass and distance travelled
The problem with Kei class cars isn’t a problem with the Kei class cars, it is a problem with other vehicles (and Drivers) on the road.
The reason Kei cars are failing ADRs on vehicle collision testing is because the ADRs (and ANCAP) takes into account the GVM 3495kg inadequacy light trucks that are being driven by unprofessional drivers who think that Driver Assistance means self-driving.
A Jimny in a collision with a Commodore or Falcon would have been non-fatal but when a day-drinking soccer mum in a Silverado drives over a Suzuki Swift or cyclist because it didn’t register on her ADAS system, there is carnage.
Fun fact: ANCAP tests to a 1600kg impact. A Silverado doesn’t even have to punch its own weight. Kei cars need to punch double.
For pedestrian safety, they measure impact the knees and head. A Camry would knock you in the knees and you go head-first into the windscreen.
A Silverado? You get slammed in the chest and it passes becuase the whole car is lifted above your knees and your head only touched the ground. Ribs aren’t in the criteria.