Blaine S

Has anybody else looked into seeing if the 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid is going to be eligible for the hybrid tax credit? It would almost negate the price difference between the S and the S Hybrid.

Some information can be found here where it looks like the eligibility requirements are that 1) it only applies to your first 60,000 cars and works on a sliding scale. 2) that the hybrid demonstrates at least a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency.

http://www.edmunds.com/fueleconomy/car-tax-credit.html

and the official application with the IRS can be found here:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-06-09.pdf

Billy Wyatt

I believe it cuts off at 40k or there abouts.

Blaine S

The Audi Q7 or Mercedes GL are a lot more than 40K and they qualify.

Cole

I have no hard numbers to back this up.....but it seems that hybrids are still currently depreciating at a slower rate than their counter parts. Wonder if 3-5 years down the road if the CSH will have a much higher residual value than the CS?

Blaine S

I wonder too. If Porsche's hybrid technology is robust enough then hopefully it will hold it's value well. The VW Diesel Touareg seems to have held its value better than it's gas counterpart. They too will have a hybrid in 2011 so it should be interesting.

ltc

The amount of the rebate is "moderated" by the type/price of vehicle.

For example, my 2010 Golf TDI (DSG) got the full $1700, the Jetta (same engine/drivetrain) was only $1300 IIRC.

ltc

A hybrid poses a much larger out of pocket liability than a diesel, simply due to the cost to replace the hybrid battery pack, which can run > $5K.

This liability can be balanced somewhat if you live in a "green" state.
For example, if you own a hybrid in MA, the hybrid powertrain warranty is mandated to be extended (for no cost) to 10yr/150K miles, rather than 7/10.

Diesels tend to hold their value based on the durability, longevity and efficiency of a diesel engine...250K miles and they're just about broken in.

mudman2

The Nissan Leaf gets 7500 Tax credit fyi

Blaine S

Lewis - thanks. I didn't know this and the cost of replacing the NiMH pack was a concern.

ltc

I've owned 2 Ford Escape Hybrids (06, traded in for an 09). Great vehicles and covered under the 'green state' hybrid powertrain components extention, so long term (100K+ miles) I am not concerned.

My new daily driver was a TDI simply based on putting 30K miles/year, so long term, I don't have to worry about the HV battery.

The Prius is the car to watch with regards to HV battery life, since it has the longest in service life so far. Batteries have a limited number of charge/discharge cycles (automotive temperature ranges dont' help), so it's just a question of when the car's electronics determine the pack has degraded sufficiently to shut it down.

The Cayenne Hybrid was a stupid idea from the outset, but it was another Dr. W. "marketing first" design....although the marshmallow roast was pretty funny.

Still waiting for Porsche to declare how long the Cayenne Hybrid can drive on electric only at 70+ mph....

The only hybrid that would make sense would be a diesel hybrid, IMHO.

Blaine S

Looks like the battery-boosted pepper p!g gets gets some credit.

"ATLANTA, Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Porsche's first production hybrid, the 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid sport-utility vehicle, has been certified as being eligible for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Tax Credit as a Qualified Hybrid Motor Vehicle. Customers who purchase a new 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid before December 31, 2010 or who have already purchased one earlier this year may be eligible for a one-time tax credit up to $1,800."

mudman2

Wooohooooo