Rising gas prices are beginning to approach May 2011 levels, signifying that the economy hasn’t grown much in the past two years. Despite the recent drop in crude oil barrel prices, state governments and environmentalists are actually pushing for an increase in gas taxes. The federal gas tax currently sits at 18.4 cents per gallon, but recent proposals are looking to raise the tax 2 cents annually over the next five years.

Environmentalists see the gas tax as a way to promote green energy standards. In the New York Times, proponents argue that:


American’s have already seen increases in income taxes and insurance premiums. A gas tax would further limit purchasing power. Raising the price of gas might not hurt cities that have reliable public transportation, but a majority of the country’s commuters will feel the impact immediately.

Even numerous green failures haven’t deterred the movement from promoting electric cars as an alternative to buying gas. Billions of stimulus dollars have been pumped into companies such as Tesla. But in a recent review, critics doubt its reliability as a commutable car.