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Distributional effects of taxes on car fuel, use, ownership and purchases

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  • Eliasson, Jonas
  • Pyddoke, Roger
  • Swärdh, Jan-Erik

Abstract

We analyse distributional effects of four car-related tax instruments: an increase of the fuel tax, a new kilometre tax, an increased CO2-differentiated vehicle ownership tax, and a CO2-differentiated purchase tax on new cars. Distributional effects are analysed with respect to income, lifecycle category, and spatial dimensions. The analysed taxes are progressive over most of the income distribution, but barely regressive if the highest and lowest incomes are included. However, the fraction of the population who suffer substantial welfare losses relative to income is much higher in lower income groups. We also study revenue recycling schemes; when these are included, the combined effect of tax and recycling is progressive. Considering geographical differences; rural areas carry a larger burden of fuel and vehicle taxes than urban areas, and satellites/suburbs carry a larger burden than central cities. However, rural areas are affected remarkably similar regardless of where in the country they are located.

Suggested Citation

  • Eliasson, Jonas & Pyddoke, Roger & Swärdh, Jan-Erik, 2018. "Distributional effects of taxes on car fuel, use, ownership and purchases," Economics of Transportation, Elsevier, vol. 15(C), pages 1-15.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecotra:v:15:y:2018:i:c:p:1-15
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecotra.2018.03.001
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    6. Jonas, Eliasson, 2021. "Kommer vi resa mindre efter pandemin? [Will we travel less after the pandemic?]," MPRA Paper 106156, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    8. Jacobs, Leif & Quack, Lara & Mechtel, Mario, 2022. "Distributional effects of carbon pricing by transport fuel taxation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    9. Pyddoke, Roger, 2016. "Modelling effects of policy instruments for sustainable urban transport in Scandinavia," Working papers in Transport Economics 2016:29, CTS - Centre for Transport Studies Stockholm (KTH and VTI).
    10. Orkhan Nadirov & Jana Vychytilová & Bruce Dehning, 2020. "Carbon Taxes and the Composition of New Passenger Car Sales in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-15, September.
    11. Leif Jacobs & Lara Quack & Mario Mechtel, 2021. "Distributional Effects of Carbon Pricing by Transport Fuel Taxation," Working Paper Series in Economics 405, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    12. Gren, Ing-Marie & Tirkaso, Wondmagegn, 2021. "Costs and equity of uncertain greenhouse gas reductions – fuel, food and negative emissions in Sweden," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    13. Eliasson, Jonas, 2019. "Distributional effects of congestion charges and fuel taxes," MPRA Paper 94328, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Jens West & Maria Börjesson, 2020. "The Gothenburg congestion charges: cost–benefit analysis and distribution effects," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 145-174, February.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Distributional effects; Equity effects; Fuel tax; Car ownership tax;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy

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