Gore proposes tax credit for energy-efficient cars

US Vice-President Al Gore Wednesday announced several energy policy proposals that he said would help working families purchase more energy-efficient cars, trucks, and homes.

Gore would give families a tax credit of up to $6,000 toward the purchase of more fuel-efficient cars and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), along with other tax breaks for the purchase of energy-efficient pick-up trucks, 18-wheelers, building equipment, and homes. Gore said the fuel-efficient vehicles would reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, helping consumers save money at the pump.

He said, "We can have a next-stage prosperity where you don't have to build your lives around a fuel source that is distant, uncertain, and easily manipulated. We will demand and develop new technologies to free ourselves from gas-tank price-gouging, and we will sell those technologies to the world. We'll build a new generation of fuel-efficient vehicles, and then make it easy for families to afford them."

On Tuesday, Gore announced other proposals to reduce reliance on oil imports. He is due to disclose mass transit proposals Thursday.

Gore proposed to give US consumers a tax credit of up to $6,000 for the purchase of more fuel-efficient cars or SUVs, a credit up to $5,000 for the purchase of fuel-efficient pick-ups or other trucks, and up to $15,000 for more fuel-efficient 18-wheelers.

He proposed a tax credit of up to $2,000 to allow consumers to buy energy-efficient new homes or upgrade the efficiency of their current homes. He would extend a 20% tax credit to businesses for the purchase of energy-efficient building equipment and the current 10% percent tax credit for homes or business that use solar energy to generate electricity or heat water.

Gore's plan would help low-income families insulate their homes and upgrade heating and cooling systems. The plan would support users of natural gas, fuel oil, and liquid propane gas, as well as users of electric energy.

And Gore proposed a competition to select 20 communities that develop a comprehensive plan to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while stimulating economic growth and creating new jobs.