Tax credits for hybrid owners still being ironed out for 2006

QI

went to the IRS Web site

and saw that the 2006 Civic and Prius hybrids were not included with cars that could qualify for a tax deduction for 2005. Is that because the manufacturers have not provided the needed information? If one buys a 2006, will that car be eligible for the deduction? What is happening with the proposed tax credit for 2006, which would actually be a better deal than the deduction, it appears?

Penny Herman

Los Gatos AIf

you have seen my taxes, you would

not be asking me for advice. Hybrid owners could get up to $3,400 in tax credits next year in a complicated formula. Credits will be available to just the first 60,000 hybrids sold by Honda and Toyota, a figure those manufactures expect to reach early next year. That’s why it’s not on the IRS Web site yet. Best advice: Talk to the tax agency or an accountant. QI

see Mercedes-Benz is introducing a

new S-Class hybrid. It comes with either a gas or diesel V-6 plus two electric motors. Do you think it will qualify for the single-occupant carpool perk? . . . Will the 2006 Honda Accord hybrid qualify for a carpool sticker?

Ted Panofsky, Chris A. and more ANo.

The Accord meets emission standards, but not the 45 mpg cutoff. Ditto the Mercedes-Benz. Click on www.arb.ca.gov/ msprog/carpool/ carpool.htm for a list of vehicles qualifying for carpool-lane use. If a vehicle is not listed it is not yet available for sale. As of

Nov. 22, the state had received

38,241 hybrid-carpool applications and issued 35,176. Up to

75,000 will be eligible for carpooluse.

QI

have been driving solo in

the carpool lane on I-280,

85 and 101 since I got my Prius. Despite the carpool sticker, I avoid driving in that lane unless there is very heavy traffic because carpoolers in SUVs and pickups think it is OK to drive over 80 and find it intolerable that a Prius is going 65 to 75. Almost every day, I must give way to some crazy humongous vehicle driven by a maniac tailgating me to get ahead. One guy in a shirt and tie was driving illegally in the carpool lane behind me, blinking at me several times (I was going at over 73) and offering hand gestures. When I changed lanes, he clapped with both hands. Such incidents are common and have made driving a nasty experience. I’d rather sit in the non-carpool lane than take the constant bullying and insults. The driving by these speeders makes you think they are on a suicide mission. It’s unbelievably crazy.

Seema Srivastava

Sunnyvale AAnd

so dangerous and unnecessary. QBeing

a driver of a Prius made me

one of the first to apply for the carpool sticker. But reflecting on it, I think there is absolutely no reason for us hybrid drivers to get special treatment and, as readers point out, it may just water down the value of the carpool lane. There are no stickers on my car, and they will be returned because there are already too many people with special privileges. For a society to function properly, we need to work together. AInteresting. QYou

have shown a lot of one-sided arguments in support of hybrids. I just want to give my two cents. The real problem with hybrids is that they are horrible to look at. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but can you imagine a guy with tattoos or a cowboy driving a hybrid? It’s a car that doesn’t look manly. Take the Prius. It looks like a mouse with wheels, like something out of a cartoon. You think someone is going to really give up his tough-looking truck or manly muscle car for a car that looks like it was made for an old grandma? I’m in my mid-20s and in favor of doing something about the gas crisis, but I can’t bring myself to ride a hybrid because of the way they look. Make a Mustang hybrid, and I’ll buy it the first day it comes out. Bob Whitehair

San Mateo

Joe Ramos

San Jose ASome

of us think tattoos are ugly. QWhat

about hybrid convertibles? This

is California, after all. I’m coming off the minivan phase of life, and if there was a hybrid option, I’d buy it tomorrow.

Susan Iverson AI’m

almost out of the minivan phase

as well! Toyota and Ford plan to turn many models into hybrids over the next few years, and that may include convertibles, minivans and pickups. Contact Gary Richards at mrroadshow@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5335.