to minimize opposition when the ept was first implemented the gasoline surcharge regulation was abolished at the same time this prevented an overall increase in transport fuel prices and protected vulnerable households and businesses from the impact of energy price increases however while such measures facilitated the initial implementation of ept tradeoffs are certainly evident between environmental effectiveness and revenueraising potential on the one hand and political feasibility on the other further increases in the tax rate will be necessary to ensure that ept is environmentally effective