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[quote=Anonymous]We have a Chevy Volt, which is all-electric for terms of tax purposes (the engine only comes on if it runs out of battery -- ours has not turned on in at laest 2 months). Depending on your income level, you get $7,500 tax credit on Fed income taxes, and also some from your state -- in MD it's now $3k. So right off the bat, you just saved $10k. Then, GM is discounting the Volts to sell them, and also providing great financing (ours is at 0%).

So the cars are $31-35k, then you get $10k in tax credits. It would be difficult to find another $25k car with similar equipment (nav system, front/rear parking sensors, rear parking camera, 3 years free Onstar). So leaving aside fuel costs, you're already getting a pretty good deal on a car.

Next is electricity. Your office may have a charging station or be willing to install one (it makes them seem more "green"). At DW's office, we negotiated a special rate of $1.50/day for unlimited charging, so we don't even charge at home unless it's the weekend. They were willing to do it because they had 2 EV spaces and no EV drivers in the building. Based on her charging usage, they dont' lose money at that rate anyway.

Now just looking at fuel efficiency for electrics, hybrids, and "normal" cars in general, it depends on your driving patterns. If you drive mostly highway, then a diesel car like the VW Jetta TDI or VW Golf TDI will outperform any fuel-powered Prius. In the city, electrics and hybrids will usually come ahead.

Also at least in MD, you can get a speical sticker to use the HOV lanes with less than the required # of people.

If you're looking at a Prius, note that many of the tax credits and special privileges apply only to the plug-in version. The standard Prius often doesn't qualify since it's primarily fuel-driven with battery power at low speeds.[/quote]

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