If you’re thinking of getting that [tag]Toyota[/tag] [tag]Prius[/tag] or [tag]Highlander[/tag] Hybrid and want to take full advantage of the hybrid [tag]tax credit[/tag], better hurry. Shortly after a manufacturer sells 60,000 hybrid vehicles, the credit begins to phase out. And with Toyota selling almost 150,000 hybrids last year, it won’t take long to hit that mark.
Personally, the phaseout seems a little ridiculous to me. Oh, sure, $204 million (60,000 vehicles x a max credit of $3,400) per manufacturer isn’t exactly chump change. But if they’re willing to consider $328 million for a ‘Bridge to Nowhere’, this low a cap on something that can only intensify research into something as important as [tag]alternative energy[/tag] sources just seems a little short-sighted to me.
Yes, before you say it, I know that hybrids aren’t necessarily a money savings purchase. And I won’t be purchasing a [tag]hybrid[/tag] anytime soon for that very reason. But, if my finances were in better condition – i.e. sans a $17,000 credit card balance – and was in the market for a new car, I’d certainly consider taking the financial hit in order to help finance the science.
