Assemblyman pushes Hybrid Tax Credit

All but admitting that buying a hybrid makes no economic sense, a California Assemblyman is proposing yet another government subsidy of the vehicles.

Buying a hybrid vehicle will save drivers money on gas, but they're so much more expensive than a regular vehicle that economists say most will not save their owners money over the life of the car.

Lodi Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi wants to fix that by giving buyers a one-time income tax break of up to $3,000 as a way to stoke hybrid sales and get more of the cleaner-running vehicles on California roads.

"The tax credit will make it easier for average citizens - those who need it most - to afford a highly fuel-efficient vehicle," Nakanishi said. "Asthma has increased a lot in the Valley, and we really need to clean that up."