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Electricity use of automation or how to tax robots?

Author

Listed:
  • Emanuel Gasteiger

    (Institute for Mathematical Economics and Statistics, Vienna University of Technology)

  • Michael Kuhn

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA))

  • Matthias Mistlbacher

    (Institute for Mathematical Economics and Statistics, Vienna University of Technology)

  • Klaus Prettner

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business)

Abstract

While automation technologies replace workers in ever more tasks, robots, 3D printers, and AI-based applications require substantial amounts of electricity. This raises concerns regarding the feasibility of the energy transition towards mitigating climate change. How does automation interact with conventional capital in driving energy demand and how do taxes on robots and taxes on electricity affect the adoption of robots and AI? To answer these questions, we generalize a standard economic growth model with automation and electricity use. In addition, we augment the model with electricity taxes and robot taxes and show the mechanisms by which these taxes affect automation. We find that an electricity tax serves a similar purpose as a robot tax. However, a robot tax is much more difficult to implement from a practical perspective.

Suggested Citation

  • Emanuel Gasteiger & Michael Kuhn & Matthias Mistlbacher & Klaus Prettner, 2024. "Electricity use of automation or how to tax robots?," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp364, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wiwwuw:wuwp364
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lankisch, Clemens & Prettner, Klaus & Prskawetz, Alexia, 2019. "How can robots affect wage inequality?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 161-169.
    2. Prettner, Klaus, 2019. "A Note On The Implications Of Automation For Economic Growth And The Labor Share," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 23(3), pages 1294-1301, April.
    3. Joao Guerreiro & Sergio Rebelo & Pedro Teles, 2022. "Should Robots Be Taxed?," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 89(1), pages 279-311.
    4. Chen, Yang & Cheng, Liang & Lee, Chien-Chiang, 2022. "How does the use of industrial robots affect the ecological footprint? International evidence," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Automation; Robots; Growth; Electricity Use; Energy Taxes; Robot Taxes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies

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