Hybrid Car Review

Mercedes-Benz announced their 2010 S400 Hybrid has qualified for the hybrid car tax credit.  Anyone who buys a hybrid, and otherwise qualifies for the tax credit, can get up to $1,150.

The Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit is available to those who buy hybrids or other alternative vehicles.  The amount of the credit offered varies depending on the fuel efficiency of the tax credit.  The amount of tax credits available by vehicle on the 2009 model year cars varies from $3,400 for the Ford Fusion Hybrid down to $1,550 for the Malibu Hybrid. 

That indicates the S400 Hybrid rates pretty low for fuel efficiency on the scale of other hybrids.   

After the first 60,000 units are sold from Mercedes-Benz, the tax credit would be cut in half for the following two quarters.  After that, it would be cut in half again for the next two quarters.  After that, the tax credit is gone.  Anyone who buys a Honda and Toyota hybrid now cannot receive a tax credit, as the credits have already expired for those two companies.  Ford is down to 25% of the full credit.

To find out how to get your federal tax credit on your hybrid car, follow the link.


Press Release Follows:

Mercedes-Benz USA announced today that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has designated the new 2010 S400 Hybrid as eligible for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as a Qualified Hybrid Motor Vehicle. Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid customers are eligible for a one-time tax credit of up to $1,150.

The S400 Hybrid is equipped with the world's first lithium-ion battery designed specifically for automotive use. A lightweight, high-capacity lithium-ion battery works in combination with a 20-horsepower electric motor and a 275-hp, 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine to deliver EPA mileage ratings of 19 MPG city and 26 MPG highway - an improvement of 26% when compared to the V8-powered S550 sedan. The 120-volt lithium-ion battery weighs less than most other batteries and can be installed in the engine compartment, requiring no reductions in trunk or cabin space.


The hybrid system includes a seamless start-stop function that turns off the gasoline engine below nine mph when braking to a stop. When the S400 HYBRID is at a traffic light, for example, the gasoline engine is off, but the AC compressor and steering pump are operated electrically, so air conditioning and power steering are fully operational. When the brakes are released, the gasoline engine is started automatically, and works with the electric motor for seamless performance.

During braking, the electric motor acts as a generator, recovering kinetic energy and storing it in the lithium-ion battery. Under heavy braking, the vehicle's conventional brakes provide supplemental stopping power. Recovered energy is stored in the battery and re-used whenever the electric motor is running.
Additional details on the S400 Hybrid and the 2010 Mercedes-Benz lineup can be accessed at www.mbusa.com.