Why private diesel car 6 times road tax?

Ponders SG

What is the rationale behind the levy of 6 times of normal road tax if the private vehicle is diesel-powered.

As far as i konw, diesel powered car used to be more polluting than petrol ones. Thus government imposed this tax to discourage people using diesel cars.

BUt nowadays and in time to come, diesel powered vehicles are cleaner. In a years time, diesel cars must comply with a new standard that is very strict. the new standard has proved it emits HALF of the CO2 petrol cars does.

Also, diesel cars have nearly double the fuel efficiency of a petrol.

So isn't time Govt should do away with this tax? or they got other reasons?

hmmm... please avoid comments like "govt love money what".

because europe have diesel version of Subaru Forester and legacy already.

and like in recent news, SAF considering diesel powered BMW m5, rexton, etc as the Rover Defender replacements.

bismarck SG

welcome to singapore.

i guess that time when govt wants petrol cars because diesel was x times more pollutive than now. so at that point petrol is the choice and govt wants to phase out diesel for the then cleaner choice.

just like leaded and unleaded petrol.

Praetorian111 SG

This is to discourage the ownership of diesel vehicles on our road....
The initial diesel engine is relatively loud and emits alot of harmful gases.
Another point is at their existance are primary as goods vehicles in Singapore... This will means the usage will be higher than passenger cars...

Ponders SG

Thanks.

But what i meant is...... "modern" diesel engines now emits less polution and noise than petrol counterparts.....

why should singapore still discourage private ownership of diesel cars?

isn't it time sgp govt should do something about this??

especially now that petrol price is increasing on a monthly basis.

at least diesel gives more mileage per litre.

Blitz_Gundam SG

but does that mean that we will have lesser options when we buy cars??? currently taxis and some pickups are diesel if i am not wrong ( correct me if i am), while all others are petrol. Would manufacturers be willing to do that change just for one country who impose a mandatory specification?

Just for imagination....... imagine your WRX or EVO or even a ferrari running on diesel???? maybe not in this generation.....

fondue SG

actually, most car makers have diesel engine models, be it mercedes, bmw, citroen or volvo.

Diesel is definitely much cleaner now so I agree that its time to review the policy Very Happy

seancannot SG

The government are reviewing this policy thot came out in the news sometime ago

seancannot SG

The government are reviewing this policy thot came out in the news sometime ago

Kuali Baba SG

Prae: The diesel tax applies to diesel passenger cars only and not commercial vehicles.

The standard LTA response I read in the papers a while ago was that diesels produce more 2.5-micron particles (apparently S'pore produces plenty of that), and that they will monitor and review the blah blah blah.

If such pollution is high even without the presence of more diesel cars then obviously the problem lies in poorly-maintained old CVs (not a generalisation), inadequate environmental technology or some other source.

In addition to the above reasons I'm for diesels because they can run on cooking oil. Mr. Green

bismarck SG

cheap right? Mr. Green

yeap just that sg doesnt import these diesel models so they arent marketed as well here..

Ponders SG

Diesel vehicles produces more of 2.5 micron particles of WHAT??

2.5 micron particles oxygen molecules? hehe.

Anyway, it's really about time Singapore should do away with the 6 times surcharge.

1. Half of europe private cars are diesel powered and they are encouraging it as it is more economical AND environmental friendlier now.

Moreover, they are coming out with what EURO 4 emission standard. Singapore is making the local buses/commercial vehicles comply with this standard.

With this new standard, vehicles produce half the CO2 petrol cars emit.

2. Diesel car can travel way further!!!

A diesel VW TDI Jetta (bora in singapore), drove 3000km from Vancouver to LA and back on 3 full tanks.

A petrol VW Jetta require 10 refills.

3. Diesel engines can now be made much quieter.....

in fact the VW TDIs are so quiet one have to be really close to tell it is running on diesel.

4. Pollutants emitting from diesel are caused by poorly maintain vehicles/engine.....

one major culprit, SHIPS registered in Panama, etc but plying singapore routes.

second major culprit, i guess the SAF rovers?? haha.

poorly maintained vehicles but somehow managed to get away with VICOM.

A full tank of diesel bora TDI travels about 1000km compared to Petrol Bora about 300km. TDI is a turbo engine.... yes.. pick-up is slower but who needs to speed in singapore traffic?

AE86tofu SG

actually main reason also is that Diesel is CHEAP and if everyone buys a diesel car that defeats the givt controlling the car population is SG also wad(COE etc) cos car users have 2 think of petrol etc wad…with a diesel its alot cheaper in terms of cost….

AE86tofu SG

Amen!!! but not as bad as my 7-tonner..."cleanest" veh currently in the SAF is the 5-ton...think it complies to EURO3 or 2 standards

P|R|N|D SG

Hmmm... If the rules are relaxed by the government to allow diesel powered passenger cars in Singapore, I think there will be a gradual increase in the number of people flocking to buy diesel powered cars because of lower fuel costs. If this happens, the rate for diesel in Singapore will most likely to go up too. Just my point of view. Wink

Ponders SG

Diesel is cheap.... correct.. but it does not meant people will start buying cars...

TDI (Diesel) cars are more expensive than petrol ones. usually in the range of 10 to 15% (using Euro and US market as gauge).

In singapore terms... it would mean about $7000-9000 for an average 1.6-2litre car.

If you compare the average price for car now and car 5-7 years ago.... the price drop by about $15000-20000 dollars.

A Civic in 1997 was $110000 there. Now its $75000. This is talking about $35000 different....

we have yet to see a sudden boom in car population... mainly because we are still being regulated by COE quotas.

So even if we go diesel...... there will not be a rush for cars.

zheshi SG

Manufacturers are already making diesel car for market like Europe and amercian... cause the diesel today are cleaner..and more fuel saving than the past and even to the extend of better than the petrol now....

Dun look down on Diesel car..there are some who can run sub 5 sec timing...if u happen to watch top gear u will know... and some more save on Fc too..

Deportivo SG

what about LPG?

Liquid Petrolum Gas.

Sabo SG

Originally posted by Ponders:

TDI (Diesel) cars are more expensive than petrol ones. usually in the range of 10 to 15% (using Euro and US market as gauge).

In singapore terms... it would mean about $7000-9000 for an average 1.6-2litre car.

If you compare the average price for car now and car 5-7 years ago.... the price drop by about $15000-20000 dollars.
.[/b]

Dun think so!!! Diesel Cars actually cost less than petrol one!

Boo777 SG

And it all burns down to the fact that :

"When the govt makes a mistake, itz a new law". Mr. Green

flash9933 SG

Petrol cars produce about 4 to 5 times more cabon monoxide compare to diesel cars leh … it pollutes that air more …