Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger believes that hybrid vehicles will save fuel and protect the environment. And he wants to help you purchase one.

For the last several years, people who purchase new hybrid vehicles could get a tax deduction of up to $2,000 under the IRS's Clean Fuel Tax Deduction. However, just as the price of oil is at its peak, this tax break is being eliminated. It is dropping to $1,500 this year and will go away completely in 2007.

Dutch has sponsored a bill, HR 5146, which will restore the full tax deductions and credits for purchasing clean fuel vehicles, including hybrids, electric and fuel cell vehicles. It will also renew incentives for alternate fuel research and production, including ethanol, bio-diesel and alcohol based fuels.

"The tax incentives provided by this bill would not only save consumers money--but spur market demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles. As people around the country embrace cleaner, more efficient cars, American automobile manufacturers must continue to improve fuel efficiency in order not to lose market share and jobs", said Congressman Ruppersberger.

We need to get cleaner vehicles on the road. We need to renew these important incentives. Please help our effort to pass this bill:

How You Can Help

1. Contact your Congressman, and ask them to co-sponsor or support HR 5146, the Common Sense Automobile Efficiency Act of 2004.

2. Join our Hybrid Mailing List to stay informed on the status of this legislation.

3. Help Dutch's re-election as a Clean-Fuel Supporter so he can continue his work on this and other important issues. Just $10 would go a long way to help get the word out and support this effort. (Donations are not tax-deductable.)

4. Send Dutch your comments on Clean Fuel Issues or any other topic.

5. Tell a friend about this important legislation.

Related Reading

National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Hybrid Electric and Fuel Cell Vehicles
    http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/hev/news.html

IRS: The Clean Fuel Tax Deduction:
    http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=107766,00.html

USA Today: Going Green with Car can save you some Green
    http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/block/2004-01-13-ym_x.htm

Bank Rate Monitor: Tax Breaks for Gas Savers
    http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/tips/20030219a1.asp