Federal and State Incentives for Plug-Ins, EV's

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by wjtracy, Sep 24, 2012.

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  1. Quentin

    Quentin Member

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    Wow, they're actually going through with it.
     
    #121 Quentin, Feb 22, 2013
  2. Jonas Studebaker

    Jonas Studebaker Junior Member

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    Maine has no state spiffs at all. Easy, unfortunately. But on the fed side, I'm still not sure. The unanswered question in this 7-page thread is whether the 2012 PiP qualifies for the additional $417 credit above the $2500 credit. Does anyone have a definitive answer? My tax accountant wants to know how big the battery is, presumably so he can take a credit above the base federal $2500. It is my understanding that the PiP battery (the plug-in battery that is relevant to the tax credit - not the hybrid battery) is 4-point-something kwh? Has anyone figured this out? Thanks.
     
    #122 Jonas Studebaker, Feb 23, 2013
  3. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Your question is answered completely on the very first post of this thread. There's also a "plain English" section.
     
    #123 mmmodem, Feb 23, 2013
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Jonas- The main post emphasizes $2500 Federal credit for PiP.
    Turbo Tax (2011) verifies the PiP amount is $2500...the fractional amount over 4 kWhr does not matter..
    you can enter 4.99 battery size into Turbo Tax it is still $2500.
    The other thing to look at is the CA state write up on the main post, there is a link to an official letter from Toyota spelling out $2500 fed tax credit (as well as details for CA).
    I guess we could clarify the fractional batt size over 4 does not count.

    Thank you for confirmation of Maine's "no spiffs"...well at least you do not have negative spiffs like in VA now!!
     
    #124 wjtracy, Feb 23, 2013
  5. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    #125 lensovet, Feb 23, 2013
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  6. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    The PiP has only two batteries: the LiIon traction battery, and a small 12V lead-acid accessory battery. PiP prototypes had separate plug-in and hybrid batteries, but it is just one battery in the production model.
     
    #126 CharlesH, Feb 24, 2013
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  7. Jonas Studebaker

    Jonas Studebaker Junior Member

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    Good, thanks. The main point is knowing how big the battery is. My CPA can do the math.
     
    #127 Jonas Studebaker, Feb 24, 2013
  8. Jonas Studebaker

    Jonas Studebaker Junior Member

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    No harm, no foul, but my dealer waxed poetic about two batteries in the PiP (beyond the starter battery). Further caution NOT to ask your car dealer any technical questions, let alone tax questions!
     
    #128 Jonas Studebaker, Feb 24, 2013
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agreed. the only question to ask a dealer is: how much lower are you willing to go?:p
     
    #129 bisco, Feb 24, 2013
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  10. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I updated VA as follows to reflect our new hybrid tax (let me know if not OK)​
    ​
    VIRGINIA SUMMARY​
    Virginia now has the dubious distinction being the only state to have a "disincentive" for buying a PiP: a $100/yr hybrid/clean fuels tax. But "localities" are authorized to give property tax relief to "Clean Special Fuel" vehicles (eg; Arlington Co offers tax relief). Re: HOV- there is some good news but mostly bad news about Virginia HOV access. Some VA HOV lanes allow free PiP/Prius access, but some of the major routes (I-95/I-66) have now been phased out for green vehicle HOV lane access. In 2012, Dominion Power had a pilot program offering a low-cost off-peak electricity for Plug_ins. VA PiP owners may want to check with Dominion to see if this program is still available.

    > I also sent a note to Plug-In America to update their state incentives map accordingly.
    > Does anyone know if the Dominion Power pilot program for off-peak charging is still available?

    NOTE: I tentatively changed this wording on the main post becuase the new fee has not yet been sign by the Gov.
     
    #130 wjtracy, Feb 25, 2013
  11. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Actually, the 12v battery does not start the engine. The traction battery does via one of the motor/generators. All the 12v battery has to do is provide enough power to boot the control computer.
     
    #131 CharlesH, Feb 25, 2013
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  12. Jonas Studebaker

    Jonas Studebaker Junior Member

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    The Maine Legislature is working on a bill that would grant an income tax credit for the amount of excise tax paid up to $1000. It will get some support and might even pass with Democrat majorities in the House & Senate. But they are unlikely to fund the tax break, so it will probably die.
     
    #132 Jonas Studebaker, Feb 28, 2013
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  13. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    If it was me I would ask them to just consider keeping hybrid/plug-in owners even on extra excise tax compared to a non-hybrid vehile...maybe $500 whereas ItsNotTheMoney in Maine has said excise totals about 10% over the vehicle life (in another thread). Maybe even error on the side of not quite even ($300-$400) if I was was a state.
     
    #133 wjtracy, Feb 28, 2013
  14. Jonas Studebaker

    Jonas Studebaker Junior Member

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    #134 Jonas Studebaker, Mar 2, 2013
  15. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...I agree with some of the authors sentiments, but he's not making his points very well, especially the remark about Nissan shows lack of knowledge.

    I do not really favor state incentives for green car very much, but I do think states should try not to accidently penalize green cars too much. Of course, in Viginia I've totally failed to achieve my vision.
     
    #135 wjtracy, Mar 2, 2013
  16. Jonas Studebaker

    Jonas Studebaker Junior Member

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    If the plug in and plug in hybrid cars do as intended, which is save the owner a lot of money, and if the purpose of government incentives is to minimize the cost-to-purchase barrier, then perhaps the approach ought to be loans rather than credits (grants). The idea being that the money I save on gasoline will allow me to repay the loan. Of course, Toyota privatized that trick with its 0% / 60 month financing deal...
     
    #136 Jonas Studebaker, Mar 3, 2013
  17. DadofHedgehog

    DadofHedgehog Active Member

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    WJTracy, last I spoke with Dominion Virginia, the off-peak "pilot" program was closed for newcomers, but the nice lady in Richmond did tell me they had "spare program capacity" i.e. that the signups didn't hit the targets (I think 750 pure EV TOU and 750 blended EV/House TOU were the goals). The programs were supposed to close for signups in early December 2012. I sure hope the "pilot" will turn into a permanent rate program, 'cause it costs me about $6 - $8 / month to charge every night at the lowest tiered rate :) . Anyone interested can call Dominion Virginia EV Office @ 866-566-6436.

    ...and IMHO the Virginia $100/year hybrid tax is stooopid.
     
    #137 DadofHedgehog, Mar 3, 2013
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  18. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    VIRGINIA LATE BREAKING HYBRID FEE TIP IDEA
    Great tip!!!
    Where'd you hear it?
    We thought we were going to move, now we think we stay in VA (not because we like the politics I assure you). So that's why we never paid in advance like that.

    Hope you went to NoHybridTax.com to vote no too.
     
    #138 wjtracy, Mar 9, 2013
  19. JamesBurke

    JamesBurke Senior Member

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    You are talking state reg. and not the county personal prop. tax sticker right? Wonder if the new fee will be collected as part of that. Been awhile since I've had to mess with this stuff in Va. Hoping you've found this 3yr method to be a loophole.
     
    #139 JamesBurke, Mar 9, 2013
  20. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    James good question, there are lots of questions, but the bill increased various auto registration fees as well as the hybrid fee. Also increased car sales tax to from 3 to 4%. So if you were buying a PiP or Prius anyway, might be a good time to buy and extend registration for 3 years at today costs. Even if the Gov signs the bill (he has until Mar 23) not clear to me when it goes into effect.

    For $120 bucks to register for 3 years, not too much downside. But you could move or total your car, not sure if you get a rebate. You are correct no impact on property tax which I estimate at $3500 on a Prius (before the new fee) over 10 years.
     
    #140 wjtracy, Mar 10, 2013
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