[Vision2020] engine tax

[Paul Rumelhart]

Fellow vision2020-ites,

While wandering aimlessly through the internet one day (meaning that I 
don't remember where I came across it), I found out that Japan has an 
engine tax.  The smaller and more fuel-efficient the engine, the smaller 
the tax.  The tax apparently ranges from about $40 to $800 or so 
annually, iirc.  People who own more than one car would presumably be 
taxed on both.  In these days of higher gas prices, global warming, and 
pollution concerns, it seems to me like it could be a good idea for our 
country to adopt.  We could start with lower numbers and add it in to 
the registration cost.  That's presuming, I guess, that the registration 
cost doesn't already include it.  Does anyone know what that amount is 
comprised of?

Any thoughts on this?  Is it a good idea?

Paul