[Living Free in NH]

a tax credit up to $3,400

Well, damn. How about a $6,800 tax credit for those who don't even own a car and take the subway to work every day?

[taxcontrol]

Lets see, $3,400 should just about make up the extra cost of the hybrid and along with the minimal real world gas mileage improvements, just make it just about even.

[stocksthatgoup]

Can you say "Corporate Give-Away"?

[misterrob]

How about outsourcing the production to people who don't need to be paid union wages so as to drive down the costs and make the cars more cost competitive?

[TCats]

As usual, the Gov't bureaucrats are foisting the illusion that Gov't can somehow repeal the laws of basic Economics. I say butt out and let the market sort this thing out.

[mewzilla]

Note to Sec. Snow: When they save money and gas, we'll look at them.

[RadioAstronomer]

I park every day next to a Prius at work. We both say the same thing as we walk out to our cars - "I am glad I am driving what I drive". LOL!

My car is a 2005 Vette. Drives like a dream, but he gets better gas mileage. (I think I got the better end of the deal) :-)

[Warren_Piece]

I don't get it. My Scion xB gets better gas mileage than a Ford Escape Hybrid. Where's my tax break?

[Muleteam1]

I haven't recently looked at any of the hybrid cars but in the past the car manufacturers subscribed to the policy, "If you want economy, you had better be ready to pay big bucks for it." Economy should start at the asembly line, not on the IRS 1040. Not to say that being able to share your vehicle cost with all taxpaying Americans is not a good deal.

Muleteam1

[SirLinksalot]

Scientific Question : In the overall scheme of things -- DOES THE HYBRID CAR REALLY SAVE ENERGY ANYWAY ?

Anyone ??

[DaveyB]

What is the constitutional role for taxing one product higher than another to favor a market response? - And don't tell me about the interstate commerce act - Hybrids aren't safe on an interstate!

[keat]

Hybrid cars run on gasoline, they do not and will not "save" the environment.

The actual increase in fuel economy over a similarly sized and stripped down sub-compact is minimal in mixed driving and non-existent in primarily highway driving.

The premium price paid for Hybrids is not even close to recovered in operating costs.

Hybrid busses and taxi's in urban use probably have a payback, as long as the purchase price is not inflated.

Battery disposal and recycling issues have been sugarcoated and not fully considered.

Asking me to subsidize somebody's "feel-good" politically correct vehicle is wrong.

When Detroit and Tokyo roll out huge gas-guzzling Hybrid SUV's next year, the joke will be on the taxpayers.

[Cobra64]

You forgot the BARF ALERT

[traumer]

"to assist the ailing domestic auto industry "

HOW? Is Prius built here ??

[stylin19a]

Illinois just announced a 500 buck credit.

[BigTex5]

Where's MY tax break for a 15 year old car that still gets 42mpg in town and 52 highway?

[Cicero]

The figure I've seen is that it costs roughly $4,000 more for a small hybrid compared to the same model in standard mode. So this would probably convince quite a few people to go hybrid.

I've been thinking about buying a gas saving car next time around, but hybrids don't look worth paying extra for. Maybe this will change the picture.

But it depends on several factors. What do they mean by "domestic"? Does that include, say, a Honda or Toyota made in the U.S.?

And does this tax break come off the bottom line, or will it be killed by the AMT? All my other tax breaks are killed by the AMT, including exemptions for children.

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Moonman62]

At a Ford Motor Co. research center in suburban Detroit, Snow discussed tax policy changes that would give people who buy or lease increasingly popular hybrid cars and trucks a tax credit up to $3,400.

If they are so popular, why did they need to be subsidized?

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I don't like the current focus on hybrid cars. I think the technology is a temporary stop gap. What will happen in five years when the batteries have to be replaced in these cars? They will become very unpopular. Why not encourage diesel cars, the mileage efficiency is similar, and they are more reliable?

[Wiseghy]

I love my Civic Hybrid. However, gas saving is common sense and the lessons the car has taught me have turned out different that I imagined:

1. If your not in a hurry, don't be. It's not a race.

2. Driving slower is better much easier on the insurance. I've got no tickets or accidents in the hybrid, despite at least 1 ticket per year in the old car.

3. Saving gas is common sense. Watch the meter on the dash, an accelerate slower, coast when possible, and slow if you see traffic ahead. Being alert saves gas big time.

4. Being on a cell phone ruins concentration, and results in much lower mileage, in addition to being very unsafe. 5. Much of mileage improvements comes from having constant feedback off the dash that allows you to constantly improve and monitor your habits. Much of the rest if physics; smaller, lighter pays off. 6. Hybrids have an extremely high "cool factor" in most circles. The image is of being aware and on the cutting edge of technology. Envy increases as a function of gas prices.