“This is an incentive program," said Ruskin. "It gives people the incentive to buy cleaner vehicles."  The surcharge would apply to many heavy duty trucks, SUVs, muscle cars and luxury vehicles. Proceeds would be used to fund a "clean car discount" program, which would help subsidize car buyers who purchase clean burning or low emission vehicles. "We have to take action to give people the opportunity to vote with their wallets and to make consumer choices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Ruskin said. "This is a market based solution that preserves and enhances consumer choice." But Ruskin's definition of a "market-based solution" differs strongly from the auto industry's. "If it was a market based bill he wouldn't need legislation," said Brian Maas, director of Government Affairs for the California Motor Car Dealers Association. Maas calls the car surcharge a "Robin Hood" bill because it takes money away from people who can afford to buy more expensive cars and gives it to people who purchase less expensive, fuel-efficient vehicles. "It's one thing to provide an incentive, but it's another thing to say now we're going to penalize folks on the back end," Maas said. Ruskin argues that his legislation, AB 493, would still give car buyers many different vehicle options. Based on 2004 models, Ruskin says the Honda Oddessy and Dodge Caravan would not be subject to the proposed surcharge, but the Lincoln Town Car and Dodge Viper would face additional surcharge fees. Ruskin’s bill would apply to 2011 model year cars.