sergio romagosa
We reproduce below the statement sent by the Platform «The Escudería in Action» to its members, yesterday. Faced with the possible negative consequences of the imminent 2013-2016 AIRE plan, we must speak to show that the object of our hobby is not to blame, at all, for the pollution suffered by Spanish urban centers.
«The last Government approved in its last Council of Ministers the draft of the so-called AIR PLAN, by which the framework regulation will be established so that the municipalities of the entire country can increase the taxation of the most polluting vehicles and, even, prevent their circulation through urban centers.
The old vehicles that we keep should not fall into this category, because the lower 'ecological' efficiency of their engines is more than compensated by a very low annual circulation.
Therefore, and to avoid irreparable mistakes, we think that it is very important that we take advantage of the opportunity to present allegations that the Administration offers us. The mailbox to do it is [email protected], and the deadline, March 10.
In order to save you time, we propose the following claim model:
[su_quote cite = 'Name and surname
DNI No. ']
Refª: Allegation to PLAN AIR, relative to the Old Vehicle
I am a fan of old vehicles, understood as cultural assets that are part of our industrial historical heritage. According to the International Federation of Antique Vehicles (FIVA), an antique vehicle is any vehicle that, being more than 30 years old, is not used for regular trips and is preserved with respect to its original specification.
Our old vehicles are kept mainly with private funds, despite being enjoyed -when they circulate- by the whole community .; They are also the center of economic activity that employs more than 55.000 Europeans.
I have already mentioned before that the old vehicle is not used -by definition- for regular trips. So much so that, according to recent studies, 70% of old vehicles travel less than 1.500 kilometers a year. In addition, most of this meager average journey is on open roads.
Therefore, I understand that it would be an unfair mistake to rely on the lower efficiency of their mechanics to hold them responsible for the deterioration of the quality of the air we breathe. A problem in which - I insist - they only participate in an anecdotal way.
Given that taxing the old vehicle for this reason will not help in any way to solve environmental problems and can lead to an irreparable impoverishment of our industrial heritage and the possibilities of free enjoyment of it by the entire community, I strongly urge you to regulate (and even recommend) the possibility of excluding you from this new tax system, when the conditions that each City Council has to establish to guarantee the occasional nature of its use are verified (possession of another modern vehicle, membership of a club, possession of historical registration, excess antiquity, to give a few examples).
Article 2 of the Turin Charter, recently published by FIVA, declares that our vehicles are witnesses to the history and culture of transport. The Spanish legislator has already shown signs in the past to endorse this position (Historical Vehicle Regulations, exemption from the mechanical traction tax). Hopefully the public administration now remains on the same line.
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Please feel free to forward this request to other fellow fans or to the clubs and associations of which you are members. Our vehicles need our voice to be heard.»
