The Ford Escape Hybrid gets 34 mpg, and is worth a tax credit. Why isn't my '03 Dodge Neon that gets 35mpg?

Question

For that matter, the new Lexus 460h gets around 25 mpg.

Answer 1

You don't have a good lobbyist working Congress.

That is the problem with using tax incentives when good old economics works best.  INstead of giving away billions in tax credits, let fuel prices rise and see what people will buy -- more economical vehicles, of course.

And make real MPG standards.  None of this corporate average fuel economy stuff.  No vehicles with less than 30 MPG City ratings.  That would change fuel consumption more than ethanol or giveaways.

Answer 2

Tax laws are played by politicians for the purpose of yielding votes or money.  If Dodge wanted a tax credit, they should have greased the palms better.

Your loss.

Answer 3

"Amen!"

My 95 Honda Civic LX _STILL_ gets me 35 - 40 MPG.  So why are we "impressed" that a car maker is able to make a car with worse gas mileage 12 years later?  And why didn't I get a tax credit for buying it last year?

Answer 4

as a damlier chrysler employee the reson is the neon although amazingly fuel efficient is nt an "alternative fuel vehilce" second the 35 mpg for the neon is highway vs 34 for the hybrid is city

Answer 5

I drove a 55mpg Geo Metro for years. It always annoyed me that a 30mpg Harley could use the HOV lanes with a single person on it and I couldn't.

Answer 6

Because the Ford Escape Hybrid is an improvement on the Ford Escape.  If they made a Dodge Neon hybrid it would get a tax credit for being an improvement on the Dodge Neon.

It's not about raw mileage, it's about mileage improvement over a comparable car.

Answer 7

Don't forget that your "tax credit" doesn't matter because you are paying more money than average just because of the batteries. Compare models, you'll see.

Also, you can rebuild the Neon. Let's see you rebuild a set of batteries.

Hybrids are pretty expensive throw away cars to me.

Answer 8

Dana's right: it's just a small incentive for someone who is otherwise buying the gasoline version.  That's one more driver using less gas.  It's going to take a long time to wean the country  off of its thirst for gasoline.  Sometimes you'll have to settle for babysteps.

Hybrids like the Lexus have the added benefit that the gasoline engine shuts off at stops and slow speeds.  This immensely improves urban air quality which, obviously, includes a lot of stopping and slow speeds.

And Daniel, the reason the motorcycle is allowed in HOV lanes is because it is technically a High Occupancy Vehicle: 50-100% of it's seating is always occupied.  It's not just about gas mileage a 7mpg Caddy gets in if you have a passenger...