xcel
03-09-2007, 09:20 PM
Move is effort to promote plug-in cars. (http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/nation/03/06/6doggett.html)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Hymotion_PHEV_driven_to_HF2006_from_Canada.jpgTara Copp - American Statesman - Mar. 6, 2007
The credit may not apply to Hymotion's Prius II PHEV conversion (or will it?) but will surely be applicable to an upcoming Prius III - PHEV.
WASHINGTON - Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, filed a bill Monday that would offer $3,000 to $6,150 in tax credits for people who buy new plug-in hybrid passenger cars.
Plug-in hybrid cars bundle a traditional gas tank with a large battery pack that recharges when it is plugged into a regular electrical socket. The vehicles can travel 40 miles on their electrical power alone and can switch to fuel use on longer trips.
Although older versions of the gasoline/electric hybrids, which are recharged during driving, are available on the mass market, the new plug-ins are still in development. They are expected to cost about $10,000 more than a traditional hybrid, which would put them in the $30,000 range.
Some vendors such as Toyota sell conversion packs for the older models so they can also be independently recharged.
Doggett, who helps set tax policy from his seat on the Ways and Means Committee, said the bill reflects his promise to help the City of Austin carry out its plan to get plug-in hybrids on the mass market.
That "plug-in partners" program gets cities to commit to buying plug-in hybrids, to show automakers that demand exists for the technology. More than 8,300 cars have been pre-ordered nationwide.
"Today's legislation represents another way of fulfilling that commitment and supporting the leadership of the City of Austin and Austin Energy on this important legislation," Doggett said.
The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, and Michael McCaul, R-Austin.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Hymotion_PHEV_driven_to_HF2006_from_Canada.jpgTara Copp - American Statesman - Mar. 6, 2007
The credit may not apply to Hymotion's Prius II PHEV conversion (or will it?) but will surely be applicable to an upcoming Prius III - PHEV.
WASHINGTON - Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, filed a bill Monday that would offer $3,000 to $6,150 in tax credits for people who buy new plug-in hybrid passenger cars.
Plug-in hybrid cars bundle a traditional gas tank with a large battery pack that recharges when it is plugged into a regular electrical socket. The vehicles can travel 40 miles on their electrical power alone and can switch to fuel use on longer trips.
Although older versions of the gasoline/electric hybrids, which are recharged during driving, are available on the mass market, the new plug-ins are still in development. They are expected to cost about $10,000 more than a traditional hybrid, which would put them in the $30,000 range.
Some vendors such as Toyota sell conversion packs for the older models so they can also be independently recharged.
Doggett, who helps set tax policy from his seat on the Ways and Means Committee, said the bill reflects his promise to help the City of Austin carry out its plan to get plug-in hybrids on the mass market.
That "plug-in partners" program gets cities to commit to buying plug-in hybrids, to show automakers that demand exists for the technology. More than 8,300 cars have been pre-ordered nationwide.
"Today's legislation represents another way of fulfilling that commitment and supporting the leadership of the City of Austin and Austin Energy on this important legislation," Doggett said.
The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, and Michael McCaul, R-Austin.