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You could build up e.g. Cornwall (through subsidy) with the revenue from the tax.

• fredley 8y ago
  You could, but people would be pissed about being taxed to pay for something they don't have yet (and hence have no way to avoid the tax). While it might be a sensible strategy for raising the money it would be political suicide.
  • crc32 8y ago
    let's flesh it out a bit then. Op said "You can make a predictable scheme for the next 20 years (i.e. fuel will raise about 4% per year,...)" So how about investing in Cornwall now, borrowing against the 20 year revenue stream from the tax.
  • lixtra 8y ago
    So how are they better of by banning cars in 10 or 20 years? Communities can also take loans to build out infrastructure now and pay with the transition tax levied a bit later. As too political suicide, there are three types of voters: a) those that believe petrol cars should be banned b) those that do not want to give up their cars ever c) those that think cars should be banned but not for them now. Therefore: a) should be happy with an immediate tax ladder as it creates incentive to move now b) will never be happy. c) if that is the majority of your voters it’s still better to have a a gradual change now then a sudden change in the future. They could just overturn your decision in the future just before the planned sudden change. If MPs urge for a change that is more than one election away they are hypocrites and shouldn’t be MPs. Obviously some changes take a long time to bear fruits, but the change has to be immediate and gradual.