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Individuals and businesses who buy or lease a new hybrid gas-electric car or truck are eligible for, and can receive, an income tax credit of $250-$3,400 – depending on the fuel economy and the weight of the vehicle. Hybrid vehicles that use less gasoline than the average vehicle of similar weight and that meet an emissions standard qualify for the credit. “Lean-burn” diesel vehicles could also qualify, but currently available diesel vehicles do not meet the emissions standard. There is a similar credit for alternative-fuel vehicles and for fuel-cell vehicles.
If individuals and businesses buy more than one vehicle, they are eligible to receive a tax credit for each. If a tax-exempt organization buys such a vehicle, the retailer is also eligible to receive another credit. Companies that buy heavy-duty hybrid trucks are also eligible for a larger tax credit.
This tax credit will be phased out for each manufacturer once that company has sold 60,000 eligible vehicles. At that point, the tax credit for each company’s vehicles will be gradually reduced over the course of another year.
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Just as important as being energy efficient in our homes, we must make energy efficient decisions when it comes to transportation. Transportation consumes about 25 percent of the total energy used in the United States.
Here are some things that you can easily do to save energy in your transportation.
- Drive less, especially during peak traffic periods or hot days.
- Use Public transportation, walk, or ride a bike.
- Shop by phone, mail or Internet.
- Telecommute; even one day a week will make a big difference.
- Ask your employer for a flexible work schedule that would allow you to commute during non-peak hours.
- Avoid driving alone if possible; find ways to carpool.
- Combine your errands into one trip.
- Avoid revving or idling your engine over 30 seconds.
- Avoid “warming up” your car.
- Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at fast-food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go in.
- Accelerate gradually, maintain the speed limit and use cruise control on the highway.
- Remove unnecessary weight from your car.
- If you have a rack on top of your car, consider removing it. The aerodynamics of a rack can reduce your fuel efficiency up to 30 percent.
- Park in the shade in summer to keep your car cool and minimize evaporation of fuel.
- If you have a garage, use it as much as possible to keep your car warm in winter and cool in summer.
- If you have to park outdoors, windshield shades can cut down on summer heat.
- Follow your owner’s manual on recommendations for maximum economic efficiency.
- Use an energy-conserving (E.C.) grade of motor oil.
- Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark plugs).
- Use EPA-Certified facilities for air conditioner repair.
- Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. The proper tire pressure should be printed on your tire.
- Radial tires have less rolling resistance, which makes for smoother rides and improves gas mileage.
- Repair all vehicle leaks promptly.
- Fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don’t “top off” the tank, as this allows more air into your tank resulting in a decrease in gas mileage. Replace gas tank cap tightly.
- Use gas stations that have vapor-recovery nozzles (those black, accordion-looking plastic devices attached to the nozzle) whenever you can.
- Look for the most efficient, lowest-pollution model of vehicle when the time comes to purchase a new/used vehicle. For more information visit the Green Vehicles Guide Web Page – http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/
- Don’t ignore the “check engine” or “service engine soon” light if it comes on. Make an appointment with your repair technician for a diagnosis soon.
- Calculate your yearly CO2 generation (see formula below) and try to reduce it.
Formula:
Total miles per week divided by vehicle's fuel economy = gallons of gas used each week
Gallons of gas used per week x 52 weeks = gallons of gas used per year
Gallons of gas used per year x 19.56 pounds of CO2 = pounds of CO2 you generate a year
Example:
175 miles per week divided by 20 miles per gallon = 8.75 gallons used each week
8.75 x 52 weeks = 455 gallons of gas used per year
455 x 19.56 pounds of CO2 = 8,899.8 pounds of CO2 generated a year |
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