Toyota
wants tax credits for hybrid cars extended, other
automakers fearfully say no
Tuesday,
January 16, 2007
Toyota wants
tax
credits for hybrid vehicles extended, citing a drop in
the sales of its hybrid cars corresponding to the
reduction in the credit. Other automakers, aren't as
certain. Honda, for example, called hybrids only a bridge
to another technology and would prefer tax credits for
hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. (more)
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles? The same hydrogen vehicles
that BMW just claimed are 30
years away from mass-production reality? What happened
to Honda, the environmental leader? Yes, Honda developed
its hybrids as a bridge to another technology, but their
bridge is lost in the fog right now. Toyota, on the other
hand, is developing its hybrid
cars as an integral part of the path to fuel cell
vehicles.
One battery break-through and hybrids could become twice
as efficient as today. Moreover, they could be converted
into plug-in
hybrids for even greater fuel efficiency. In fact,
with just one good battery innovation, electric vehicles -
never powered by a fuel cell or hydrogen - might be
the future.
Yes, extending the tax credit will further empower Toyota,
but letting the credit slide will lull many automakers
back into the 'maintaining the status quo' mentality that
created the problems of foreign oil dependency and global
warming in the first place.
Let's drive competition. Let's extend tax credits for
hybrid vehicles.
posted
by Dahcredyns at
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