Green as in greedy!

In the three weeks I spent in the Netherlands, one thing that became clear to me was how serious the Dutch government and the entire EU was about being “GREEN”.

Going “GREEN” is about enacting, implementing and popularizing environmental policies particularly those related to fossil fuel and motoring. They’re very much into reducing traditional technology that consumes petroleum- based fuels which would be 95% of all engines, cars and other similar equipment in the Philippines.

On the opposite side, the governments give incentives in the sale and use of new fuels and alternative technologies such as flexible fuel designed cars or electric cars. They even now have a line of cars that are made for old people, handicapped, or city dwellers who don’t drive more than 70 kilometer distance and don’t need to drive beyond 45 kph.

This has even extended to “scooters” or “Motorbikes”. If your “scooter” is designed with an operating speed of 30 kph which is the estimated equivalent of a pedal powered bicycle, you don’t need to register the “scooter”, you don’t need a drivers license and you don’t need to wear a helmet because it is considered to be in the Bicycle category.

Needless to say, you could go jogging or biking in the busiest streets of Holland and you won’t feel like you were in some mobile gas chamber operating on diesel or LPG. As a nation of Bicycle riders, I certainly appreciate how the Dutch zealously work at a compromise for motorists and cyclists. The interesting thing about it is that no one I talked to especially the car enthusiasts, ever complained at being put at a disadvantage.

The policies harmoniously considered and protected everyone’s rights and concerns. So going GREEN can work and does work in Holland.

Upon arrival in the Philippines, it took me three whole days before I managed to brave the excessively polluted streets of Metro Manila. In case you haven’t noticed, any person coming from an extended stay abroad will certainly experience sore throat, colds etc within three days. Only after a gazillion load of vitamin C did I managed to be back to “normal”.

So forgive me if I turn as GREEN as The HULK!

The first event I attended upon arrival in Manila was the launch of the much heralded GREEN car; The New Toyota Prius. The latest in Toyota’s line of Hybrid cars which combines both electric and gasoline mode and is claimed to be so efficient that it has an ideal fuel efficiency of 25 kilometers to the liter.

More importantly, the New Prius works in such a way that under low speeds such as in city driving, the electric mode would be the primary operating unit while the gasoline engine is on rest and would not be emitting CO2. In effect you have an environmental friendly vehicle that is also a quieter unit.

Anyone who buys the New Prius buys it not for the looks but because of the advanced technology, fuel efficiency and because of the big “GREEN” factor.

Unfortunately there is a monster that is even greener, meaner and hungrier than The HULK; The Philippine government as represented by Congress and Department of Finance.

For some inexplicable reason, the government or the DOF has seen fit to, again, tax the hell out of another “NEW” car in the same manner they treat every novelty item or sports car. Because of the taxes imposed on every unit of the “Prius”, the latest hybrid now costs something like 2.5 million Pesos! Million of that tag price goes to Greedy Green Giant called the Philippine Government. 

Congressmen who selfishly want a monopoly on their power to legislate taxes failed to understand the significance of the “Prius” as a new product development and thereby also failed to keep their promise to give incentives to hybrid vehicles.

Congress and government has persisted on being free loaders or monkeys on the back of business, while being blind to the need to give incentives to new technology regarding solar power, fuel products, vehicles and equipment.

Speaker Nograles once stated that Congress would try to help manufacturers of Hybrid cars to get tax breaks and tax incentives. After I commented that the local boys could “build” equally efficient vehicles if we got tax breaks on composite materials and chemicals, Nograles quickly responded by saying the materials would also be covered in the incentive legislation.

Months later, I feel like an Ass who got CONned by a CON-ASS.

Of what I know of Speaker Nograles, I think he got too distracted protecting the things that were more important to him like the Speakership, CON-ASS and others. But this should not discourage people in the Motoring industry to keep pushing.

I have long lamented that the Car Manufacturers Association should work more towards better policies not protectionist policies. Instead of making enemies with assemblers, hobbyists and enthusiasts, they should align and multiply their force.

They should concentrate on tax breaks and tax relief for the consumer such as smaller tax components for people who can only buy cars through car plans of car financing. Lower taxes resulting in lower prices create better sales. Fighting with people like Senator Enrile and so-called smugglers will not alter the tax component and the final price. Congress has that power no one else.

We need to realize that making the best products with the most advanced technology is only half the goal. We need to impact policy that is good for all not just ourselves. I hope Toyota will lead the way.