Please help by taking part in this campaign before 7th Sept 2010.

The Isle of Man has introduced an emissions-based vehicle duty (road tax), but it only applies to vehicles registered after April 2010. That means, if you've got a low emission car or motorbike but it's second hand, or was registered before April 2010, you're getting penalised.

A similar system exists in the UK, but applies to all vehicles registered after 1st April 2001.

We think the Isle of Man should have a system that rewards people with low emission vehicles - and penalises people with massive gas guzzlers.

The Dept of Infrastructure is running a road tax consultation - It's your chance to help create an eco-friendly road tax system.

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Tool kit

Sample letter and consultation document:
* Not sure what to write? We produced a sample letter and a sample consultation document. Please see below.

To e-mail DoI and the Minister:
* We've reproduced the DoI's consultation document in Word, so you can save paper by completing it on your computer, and e-mailing it to DoI. To download the Word version of the consultation - Click here
* To e-mail the Dept of Infrastructure with your completed form - Click here
* To e-mail the Minister - Click here

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* Sample version of the completed consultation document - Click here

* Sample e-mail/letter to the Minister and to DoI.
(We also suggest putting the text into the comments section at the end of the consultation.)

Dear Minister/DoI,

I'm delighted that the DoI has introduced an emissions-based vehicle duty as well as giving people the opportunity to consult with the Government. The DoI is in a unique position to positively encourage low emission vehicle ownership on an island that has such a large vehicle-owning population.

I feel the current CO2 emission related vehicle excise duty (VED) should be changed in the following ways:-

1. VED for vehicles in categories B and B1 should be amended to include vehicles registered on or after 1st April 2001 - just as they do in the UK

2. Co2 emissions related VED for band A vehicles should be nil

3. Change the bands on vehicles registered before 1st April 2001 to:
* up to 1000cc petrol or 1500cc Diesel - £125
* over 1000cc petrol or above 1500cc Diesel - £350

4. L Category Electric Vehicle VED should be nil

5. Motorcycle VED A1, A and B1 category vehicles should be based on emissions.

6. A regular MOT should also be introduced to assess emissions on an annual basis. While emissions may be low when a car is introduced the same car measured a few years later is likely to prove much less efficient. This is a particular concern in the case of SUVs.

That said, I believe that in the longer term only tougher fuel taxes will give the right incentive to owners who drive low emission vehicles.

Best wishes, [Your name]

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Rationale:

1. By bringing in the early cut off date those who pollute the most will pay the most.
2. and 4. provide a positive encouragement to use low emission vehicles.
3. By introducing fixed bands we encourage people to replace their vehicles with more efficient and lower emission models
4 Reflects the generally lower emissions created by these vehicles as well as the low wear and tear to vehicles.