The Senate is currently negotiating the final energy Bill proposals for vote. According to reports, bi-partisan members are pushing sustained and more dramatic National 'Inducements' for Hybrid/Clean vehicle purchase and Development (Congress is finally realizing US infrastructure is getting clocked cleaned by Japanese).

My suggestions for such "Inducements":

Feds should 'Guarantee' Dealer Hybrid-vehicle LEASE arrangements/promotions. This will also keep Lease offers most affordable.

Induce mass-scale, nation-wide interest on Hybrid Leases for 2-3 year with further, follow-on, new model lease incentives.

Create new Federal "Tax deductions" equal to say 1/2 (50%) of annual Lease payments or (25%) of annual finance payments! Perhaps also; new Hybrid purchase state sales tax can be partially deducted on Federal return? Similar to how states allow partial deductions for housing rent costs.

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Just some random suggestions of mine -------> What are your concepts for greater development and stimulation of this market?!?

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How are you going to save the US automobile industry ?

I personally couldn't care less, but I think that any national plan will have to make concessions. The $2B giveaway is already spent, as far as Detroit is concerned.

The current Energy Bill proposals aren't necessarily meant or requested by me forinstance, to "Save the US auto industry". They would be predicated to promote Hybrid/clean burning development of all manufacturers and consumption of all said autos by US consumers.

Many many US based jobs are and will be created by this technology and more would be.. let alone the added benefit of such a stimulated demand increase!

have a good one~

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I understand your position, and would love to see it happen.

Alas, I also think it has a zero chance of becoming reality, because the US auto industry is an extremely powerful SIG; not to mention a huge part of the US economy. It is just a reality that cannot be ignored when searching for practical solutions.

In the short term, hybrids are probably the wrong way to go for the US as a nation (even though I own one). Detroit is too far behind, and Toyota and Honda have too many patents, to think that Detroit can catch up in a matter of years. Moreover, encouraging only hybrids is missing the point. The incentive should be on decreasing carbon use. Incentives for low emissions 4 passenger 50 mpg cars, or 2 passenger 75 mpg cars, regardless of technology, makes the most sense to me. When substantial incentives are available today, Detroit may stop it's pie-in-the-sky hydrogen car nonsense, and start using some of the vast scientific and engineering expertise available to become a player again.

Heck, in the immediate future, all they would have to do is build a decent light sub-compact with excellent aerodynamics.

good points,

According to my read on the ongoing energy bill developments, you have a finger on the pulse of our senators. They would indeed be encouraging broad 'clean' running vehicle development and consumption, not just Hybrid (although that would be inclusive). Hydrogen R&D support, for whatever it's worth will almost certainly be included in this bill as well. But bottom line, look for a more aggressive, pro-clean/efficient auto inducements as part of the proposed bill being drawn up for vote.

Either way, Detroit must stop thinking (and more importantly, doing) 1 year in advance if she wants to be players in 10 years from now. ;(

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