Government Support for Buying Green
The Federal government of the United States has put into place a federal income tax credit of up to $3,400 for hybrid cars that have been purchased or placed into service after December 31, 2005. The amounts of credits start to phase out for a
manufacturer’s vehicle when it has sold over 60,000 eligible vehicles. Hybrid vehicles are not eligible for electric vehicle tax credits.
There are other incentives from various local government sections for green car choices. GoOnTheRoad.com brings you all the information on these incentives and they are as follows:
U.S. Internal Revenue Service
• Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit
• Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
• Hybrid Motor Vehicle Credit
• Fuel Cell Motor Vehicle Credit
• Electric Vehicle Tax Credit
• Biodiesel and Ethanol (VEETC) Tax Credit
• Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit
• Small Ethanol Producer Credit
U.S. Department of Energy
• Clean Cities Initiative
• Energy Policy Act of 1992
• Requirements for Regulated Federal Fleets
• State and Alternative Fuel Provider Rule
• Private and Local Government Fleet Rule
• State Energy Program Funding
• Petroleum Violation Escrow Account
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program
• Updated Fuel Economy Test Procedures and Labeling
• National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC)
• Smart Way Transport Partnership
• Clean School Bus USA
• Clean Ports USA
• Clean Construction USA
• Clean Agriculture USA
• Clean Fuel Fleet Program (CFFP)
• Pollution Prevention Grants Program
• Air Pollution Control Program
• Tier 2 Vehicle and Gasoline Sulfur Program
• Aftermarket Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Conversions
• Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant
• Biobased Products and Bioenergy Program
• Biomass Research and Development Initiative
• Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)
U.S. Department of Transportation
• Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Program
• National Fuel Cell Bus Technology Development Program (NFCBP)
• Biobased Transportation Research Funding
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program
• Clean Fuels Grant Program
• Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) Program
• Idle Reduction Facilities Regulation
• Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)
• High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption
U.S. General Services Administration
• Vehicle Incremental Cost Allocation
There are also some state and local government incentives for hybrid vehicles. The states that currently have these incentives in place are:
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Maine
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• Montana
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• West Virginia
The state of California has the most tax incentives for green cars than any other state. With lots of incentives available in California, including free parking in many places, there are more reasons to own a hybrid vehicle than to not. California’s specific incentives include:
• Funding for Emission Reductions - South Coast
• Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Zero Emission (ZEV) Vehicle Parking Incentive - San Jose
• Funding for Air Quality Improvement Programs - Ventura County
• High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption
• Funding for Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emission Reductions – Sacramento
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Parking Incentive – Sacramento
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Parking Incentive - Los Angeles Airport
• Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Parking Incentive - Los Angeles
• Alternative Fuel Vehicle, Refueling Infrastructure and Idle Reduction Grants - San Joaquin Valley
• Lower-Emission School Bus Grants
• Natural Gas Vehicle Home Fueling Infrastructure Incentive - South Coast
• Alternative Fuel Incentive Development
• Vehicle Emission Reduction Grants – Sacramento
• Funding for Emission Reductions
• Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Refueling Infrastructure Grants and Loans
• Alternative Fuel Research and Development
• Technology Advancement Funding - South Coast
• Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicle and Infrastructure Incentives – Vacaville
• Clean Vehicle Parking Incentive - Hermosa Beach
• Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Parking Incentive - Santa Monica
• Idle Reduction Incentives
• Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program
• Alternative Fuel Research and Development
• Low-Emission Vehicle Incentives and Technical Training - San Joaquin Valley
More information on any of the federal, state or local tax credits is available at your local government center. With many incentives available for owners of green cars, owning one may just be the best thing you can do, for the environment and your pocket book.