The Moley Prophet

I was just reading an article about Hybrid vehicles in the US. Seems like the Prius is selling well in the US as it becomes a social statement of energy and environment. Sales in Singapore were however, terrible. Compared to the Americans, we do not waste our time and money trying to show that we are green. The Americans bought Prius instead of all other better looking hybrid vehicles because the other vehicles look the same and would not be able to show that its green statement. Perhaps the Federal government should look into providing all hybrid vehicles with a different kind of license plate to show that its "Green".

While Toyota is selling well with its Prius, other manufacturers did terribly in the US as mentioned. And now, most are switching to the alternative green source, the diesel engine. The mention of diesel engine in Singapore sparks off thoughts of thick black smoke and polluted air. However, diesel is actually cleaner than the gasoline (petrol) that we use. It gives more mileage, and the Euro IV diesel engines are much cleaner than gasoline engines. So why are dealers in Singapore not promoting this alternative? It is because the horrible government placed absurd road taxes on diesel powered cars. Only commercial vehicles like vans and lorries are discounted off this category of absurdly priced road tax, which means that Taxis are included. The move by the Police force to add diesel trucks like the Toyota Hilux is a statement that the government knows of this alternative to cleaner energy, but is unwilling to try it.

I find it weird that the government is providing incentives to a category of "Green" vehicles and imposing taxes on another. They are not making a clear statement on their stand here.