cars

Since 2008 was to be the year I’d buy a Hybrid, I’ve been doing some research to find out more about Hybrid tax credits.  It turns out that the Toyota Prius tax credit no longer exists.  I’m pretty bummed about it. 

When a new Hybrid hits the street, only a certain number of credits are allowed.  So, the Prius I was hoping to downsize to will not be saving my tax dollars because it’s been around too long.  Even though there are new Hybrids being released that will still qualify for the tax credit, I’m just not sure I trust these newbies enough.

The Toyota Prius (and Honda Insight) has been around longer than any other mainstream Hybrid car.  I fashion myself a risk taker, but truth be told, I’m much more comfortable buying from a manufacturer who has pioneered a new technology, especially when I’m spending over $20,000.  I’m never the one with the first of anything because I want to give a company time to fix their first-generation problems.  There are always first-generation problems.

Maybe it’s not realistic but I think we ought to get tax credits on every alternatively fueled car produced until all the gas guzzlers (like my Mitsubishi Diamante) are off the road, or until they discover a Jeannie who can wish us up some oil for cheap.

Here’s a table that shows the tax credit we can expect depending on the model of Hybrid we are driving or buying when we file our taxes next year.

 courtesy of irs.gov

So, what would you do, take the loss of the tax credit and buy the Prius, anyway, or take a chance on one of the manufacturers that are just now getting around to developing Hybrids?  And if you have a Hybrid that you love or hate, leave a comment and tell us about it.  It may help those of us who are shopping for Hybrids make a decision.

Here’s a great article with a summary of all the 2008 green tax credits.  Stay tuned for “Don’t Take My Green Tax Incentives! Part II - Solar Power.”

I’m sure you’ve heard that Honda released it’s new FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle in Japan today.  They also announced the first 3 U.S. dealerships that will sell these hot new cars.  All in California near hydrogen refueling stations. 

The Good

• Only emits water.
• 72 miles/kg-H2 (this is about the same as 74 miles per gallon of gas - wow!)

The Not-so-good

• They are only available to a select few by lease ($600 per month)

The first: Film producer Ron Yerxa, Author and actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her filmmaker husband Christopher Guest; business owner and car enthusiast Jim Salomon; actress Laura Harris; and Jon Spallino, already the world’s first retail fuel cell vehicle customer, who has been leasing the current generation FCX since 2005.

• When is the last time you saw a hydrogen station? There are currently only 70 operational in the U.S. and Canada.  Check out this site to see where your nearest hydrogen fuel station is. 

Chevrolet is also releasing the hydrogen fuel cell Equinox so maybe this is a new car trend that we can look forward to. 

So, should I go ahead and buy that Prius I was planning for later this year or should I keep driving the old Mitsu until hydrogen cells are available to the regular folk like me? 

More about the Honda FCX Clarity

More about the Chevrolet Equinox