Case in point: the last time that the U.S. Congress raised the federal excise taxes on gasoline and motor diesel was in 1993. President Biden warned Congress not raise them in 2022, as part of his pledge not to raise taxes on families with incomes of $400,000 a year or less. 🙄
Thx. I read a previous thread of yours & agree w/another comment. Even if it's ONLY $17 Billion, "USING TAXPAYER $$ FOR FOSSIL FUEL SUBSIDIES AS THEY RAKE IN RECORD PROFITS IS CRIMINAL MISAPPROPRIATION OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS!
From Wikipedia, "The tax was last raised in 1993 & is not indexed to inflation. Total inflation from 1993 until 2017 was 68 percent or up to 77 percent, depending on the source.--When I plug #'s in for 2025, I get 123%.
Yup. Combine high GDP per capita (albeit very unevenly distributed), low taxes on motor fuel, and an attitude from government that the carmakers are too big to fail (hence merit bailouts when they run into trouble), and — surprise, surprise — most of the 🚗s on U.S. roads are huge SUVs or pickups.
To understand the early history of that story, I recommend highly Keith Bradsher’s superb book, “High and Mighty”:
Thx, I haven't read this book, but have read similar articles. Was going to make a crack about pickup truck owners who don't need the truck for work or go off road, but complain abt gas prices. I'm sure this book says it better.
As for US automakers being big & bailed out, I can't predict, but China (BYD, others) looks to challenge everyone. electrek.co/2025/08/28/t...
If the USA and other importers don’t slap 50% tariffs on them.