Hybrid Car Review

State Sen Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) and Assemb. Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) presented a bill in New York on Wednesday that would waive the four percent sales tax on the purchase of hybrids and other vehicles capable of getting 35 mpg or better.

"Hybrid cars lessen the need for gasoline, making the cost of driving the car less expensive and more affordable, and have less of an impact on our air," said Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).

"As automobiles are among the greatest producers of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, out state should be using its tax policies to promote the purchase of hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles," said Assemblyman Steven Englebright, D-Suffolk County. "Middle-class New Yorkers know the issues and want to do something about it, but they need to able to afford the technology."

Cities and countries could also opt in to the tax waiver. The bill would be applied to new and used vehicles.

There was no indication of how much the bill would cost the state.

There are 22,799 hybrids registered in the state. Previously, New York had offered a tax credit of up to $2,000, but that expired in 2005. Hybrid cars are currently allowed solo access to the HOV lane in New York.