Medium Duty and Heavy Duty Hybrid Electric Vehicle Tax Incentives

On July 28, 2009, Rep. Levin (D-MI) introduced the Heavy Duty Hybrid Truck Incentives Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3367) to extend and improve the existing tax credits for the purchase of medium and heavy duty hybrid vehicles. Tax credits ranging from $1,500 to $12,000 are currently available for the purchase of medium or heavy duty hybrid vehicles, such as delivery vehicles, utility trucks and garbage trucks. The maximum credit varies depending on the size and fuel efficiency of the vehicle. The incentives are set to expire at the end of the 2009. Rep. Levin’s legislation, the Heavy Duty Hybrid Truck Incentives Improvement Act, would extend the tax credits for five years and double the credit amounts. It would also expand the credit to cover purely electric trucks, and make the credits more accessible for the very largest vehicles. Rep. Levin was joined in introducing this legislation by Reps. Blumenauer, Dingell, Artur Davis, Kildee, Peters, and Linda Sanchez. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.