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| STATE TAX CREDIT TO END FOR GASOLINE-ELECTRIC HYBRID VEHICLES | ||||||||
| 12/23/2009 | ||||||||
Salem- The State of Oregon’s tax credit for new gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic and Ford Escape, will end on December 31, 2009. However, the next generation of plug-in hybrid vehicles will be eligible for the tax credit. New vehicles that run on electricity or natural gas will continue to qualify for the alternative fuel vehicle tax credit. The change comes as part of House Bill 2078, passed during the 2009 legislative session and signed into law by Governor Kulongoski. The new law affects both the individuals and businesses, which have been able to receive a $1,500 tax credit through the Residential Energy Tax Credit program and a 35 percent tax credit through the Business Energy Tax Credit program. Gasoline-electric hybrids that are not designed for electric plug-in charging must be purchased by December 31, 2009 in order to qualify for a 2009 tax credit. "The tax credit for hybrid vehicles achieved its purpose -- cleaner cars that delivered better fuel economy and fewer emissions," said Governor Ted Kulongoski. "Every tax credit has a life span and now we need to use this tax credit to grow the next generation of electric and plug-in electric vehicles." From 1999 to 2008, more than 11,000 hybrid vehicles qualified for a state energy tax credit. The next generation of electric vehicles will also be receiving a plug from the federal government. Oregon is one of five states that will be getting electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and Nissan Leaf EVs as part of a federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. Portland, Salem, Eugene and Corvallis will be the sites for the initial deployment of vehicles and charging stations under the funding. Other communities in Oregon are looking into electric vehicle infrastructure in anticipation of the vehicles. For more information about the hybrid and alternative fuel vehicle tax credit program, visit http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/TRANS/hybridcr.shtml |
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