Piety is rewarded!

[drscott]

I got my California "Clean Air Vehicle" HOV lane stickers in the mail today. After the two-month-long process (wit for license number, wait for Fastrak transponder required for Bay Area stikcers, wait for DMV to issue stickers...) I now have to apply them; any error in positioning will be permanent. The color clashes with my Prius' silver metallic paint. I will rarely need them (but those few times will be very helpful.) Meanwhile, the newspaper reports that Congress' hybrid tax credit will, as planned, discriminate against Toyota because it has been too successful in selling hybrids -- the tax credit will be cut in half for Toyota hybrids purchased after Sept. 30th. Only an idiot would buy, say, a Ford hybrid over a Toyota/Lexus because of a tax credit difference, but it again points out how the US auto industry and old-line unions retain the power to subvert CAFE and block foreign competitors.

Comments

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

The incentive program was carefully designed to be cut off for Toyota (and soon, Honda) while remaining in full force for US makes (who aren;t very good at selling hybrids.)

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Mostly because their (Ford, et al US autos) hybrids *suck* and are mostly "hybrid" to gain low-end torque and 0-60MPH times, not to improve MPG.

Ironic, isn't it!