Hybrid-Vehicle Rebates
Federal: up to $2,000 depending on the year of purchase.- Colorado: up to $4,310 depending on the model purchased.
- Connecticut: hybrid-electric vehicles are exempt from sales tax.
- Maine: up to $500 depending on the model purchased.
Louisiana: up to $1,500 or a state tax credit of two percent of the total cost of the vehicle.- New York: a tax credit of $2,000.
- Oregon: a residential tax credit up to $1,500.c
updated 2011-06-28 20:25:15
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Ecojet
The EcoJet is an environmentally friendly, high-performance concept car designed with Jay Leno in cooperation with General Motors.http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/ecojet_shell.shtml
The car features a 650-horsepower Honeywell LT-101 turbine engine that sits on a Corvette frame and includes a carbon fiber body.http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/ecojet_shell.shtml
updated 2010-07-17 04:08:27
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Fuel Efficient Cars
Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) operate by converting hydrogen gas into electricity. This energy fuels the electric motor.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml The hydrogen gas is stored in a fuel cell. FCVs also have a high-output battery that gives extra power to the motor.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml
FCVs release plain water instead of pollutants.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_benefits.shtml As a result of using hydrogen cars, a smaller amount of greenhouse gases and smog will be in the air. These cars also convert more energy than alternatives that use gasoline.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_benefits.shtml
However, there are some obstacles for FCVs to overcome before they are widely accepted in the car market. The cars themselves are expensive to make.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_challenges.shtml Therefore, the cost of the car is unattractive to consumers.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_challenges.shtml Currently, there is not a mass produced method to offer hydrogen to the public.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_challenges.shtml Also, fuel cells are heavier and less durable than their counterparts.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_challenges.shtml
Availability: There are no hydrogen cars on the market. However, there are some buses in production.http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell_availability.html
updated 2010-08-01 02:17:41
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Hybrid Cars
1899: Ferdinand Porche develops the Mixte a series hybrid with a top speed of 31 mph.
- 1906: Belgian engineer Henri Pieper develops the system to recharge a battery using an electric generator run by a gasoline engine.
- 1913: The advent of the self-starter all but wipes out steam and electric-powered vehicles.
1968-1971: Baruch Berman, George H. Gelb and Neal A. Richardson develop a practical hybrid powertrain.
- 1976: U.S. Congress enacts the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act.
- 1979: David Arthurs creates a stir when he converts his Opel GT into a hybrid car using only $1,500 worth of
standard components.
- 1989: Audi develops the experimental Audi Duo.
- 1993: The Clinton Adminitration enacts the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles initiative.
- 1997: The Toyota Prius is introduced in Japan.
- 1999: Honda releases the Insight.
- 2001: The Toyota Prius is made available in the United States.
updated 2011-06-21 21:24:49
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Chevrolet Volt Rebates
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ERRA). Included in the act is a provision that provides tax credits to the first 200,000 buyers of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) per manufacturer.
The credits start at $2,500 and increase by $417 for every kilowatt hour of battery capacity in excess of four kwh. For 
most passenger vehicles, weighing 10,000 pounds or less, the credit tops out at $7,500.
The Volt is rated at 16kWh, which equates to $7,500: $2,500 + $5,000 ($417 x 12 excess kwh = $5,004).
The most recent estimate places the MSRP of the Volt at $40,000, with the $7,500 federal tax rebate available after that price.c c
updated 2011-06-24 21:41:12
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Hybrid Vehicles
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) are a mixture of hybrid-electric cars and fully electric cars.http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/plugin_hybrids.html Their construction is the same as a regular hybrid car except that they have a greater amount of battery units. Unlike the hybrid, it does not get completely recharged through regenerative braking. PHEV batteries can be recharged by plugging them in to an electrical outlet.http://www.hybridcars.com/plug-in-hybrid-cars
According to the United States Department of Energy, plug-in hybrid cars have better fuel economy than regular HEVs.http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/hybrid_electric_benefits.html They can be driven for up to 40 miles without switching over to the internal combustion engine.http://www.hybridcars.com/plug-in-hybrid-cars Because of this, PHEVs can run on just the motor during short distance trips. http://www.hybridcars.com/plug-in-hybrid-cars
updated 2010-08-01 17:00:44
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Prius
A solar powered ventilation system helps keep the interior air temperature near the outside ambient temperature. This feature reduces the use of air-conditioning.c
updated 2011-06-23 01:28:50
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