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  Straits Times 10 Feb 07
Have higher rebate for hybrids, for cleaner air
Letter from Dr Evan Lau Massachusetts, USA

WITH the recent increase in number of vehicles registered in Singapore, which indicates traffic pollution will increase, I hope the authorities will increase the incentives for the purchase of certain models of hybrid cars, so that we can reduce air pollution and carbon emission, which causes global warming.

Cars such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrids are significantly more fuel-efficient and less polluting than non-hybrid ones. In stop-and-go city driving common in Singapore, the hybrids' combustion engines are turned off automatically when the vehicles are stationary, such as at red lights.

As all of our petroleum is imported, an increase in the number of hybrid cars replacing non-hybrid ones reduces our petroleum imports and our reliance on oil.

While I applaud the recent increase in rebate for hybrid cars, the current rebate (at 40 per cent of OMV) only makes the prices of hybrids commensurate with vehicles of the same car size (for example, Toyota Prius Hybrid vs Toyota Corolla).

However, many car buyers may still be hesitant about buying hybrids due to their new technology and the high prices of cars. A slight increase in rebate (to 45 or 50 per cent of OMV) or other discounts may encourage more drivers to step over to hybrids.
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