by Leslie Schwab

Created on: April 21, 2009   Last Updated: April 22, 2009

Giving tax credits for alternative fuel vehicles has many benefits. It will create a greater demand for vehicles, which will minimize the use of fossil fuels. It will stimulate investment of research and development of new vehicles, which can lead to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs. It will result in a cleaner environment for succeeding generations.

There are several types of alternative fuel vehicles which will create less pollution and diminish our need for fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are largely provided by nations with agendas that often conflict with those of many other nations.

Plug-in hybrid technology has rapidly progressed over the past decade. These vehicles still have small internal combustion engines, but can have a range of over one hundred miles. These hybrids are being produced in small numbers by companies such as Fisker and Tesla Motors.

Hydrogen fuel cell powered cars have been developed by Honda, but it will take years to develop a network of fueling stations. Many cars can run on either ethanol, or biodiesel. Biodiesel can be generated from many sources such as; used cooking oil, corn, sugar cane, switch grass, and even garbage. In fact, Brazil has developed complete energy independence by developing their own ethanol and biodiesel fuels.

Stimulating research and development in the design and production of alternative fuel vehicles can result in the creation of many jobs. Production of alternative fuels will require many workers, as will the manufacture of these new vehicles. It is hoped that the Chevrolet Volt, a new plug-in hybrid vehicle, could help save General Motors from bankruptcy. Even more jobs will be created by developing new sales and marketing networks for these vehicles.

Finally, these vehicles create far less pollution than the gasoline and diesel powered vehicles that are currently available. The cleanest are the hydrogen fuel cell types, which only give off water vapor through its exhaust pipes. This will greatly reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. Catastrophic climate events have been predicted to occur before the end of this century by the majority of the scientific community.

Many consumers will buy these vehicles with the incentive of tax credits. Many will buy them because they are cleaner and won't require the use of costly fossil fuels. If tax credits do increase demand, then automakers will invest in new technologies which could make such vehicles more efficient, and less costly. The world will benefit as a result.

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