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US Congress lets $8,000 hydrogen vehicle tax credit expire

When Toyota introduced the 2016 Mirai last month in preparation for a launch late next year, it said that the hydrogen car will have a $57,500 MSRP and that there will be a federal tax credit available worth up to $8,000. The problem, as we noted at the time, is that that federal credit was set to expire at the end of 2014. The technical language of the current rule says that someone who buys a fuel cell vehicle, "may claim a credit for the certified amount for a fuel cell vehicle if it is placed in service by the taxpayer after Dec. 31, 2005, and is purchased on or before Dec. 31, 2014." With the 113th Congress now finished up for the year and legislators headed home for the holidays, we know one thing for certain: the federal tax credit for hydrogen vehicles was not updated and will end as we're all singing Auld Lang Syne next week. All of this isn't to say that Mirai buyers won't be able to take $8,000 off the price of the car 12 months from now. For proof of that, we only need to look at other alternative fuel tax incentives and realize that this Congress simply isn't moving fast enough to deal with things that are expiring right now. One of the last things that the 113th Congress did in December was to take up the tax credits that expired at the end of 2013 and renew some of them. Jay Friedland, Plug In America's senior policy advisor, told AutoblogGreen that PIA and other likeminded organizations worked with Congress to extended the electronic vehicle charging station (technically: EVSE) tax credit that was part of the Alternative Refueling Tax Credit in IRS Section 30(C) through the end of 2014. "Individuals can deduct 30 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing an EVSE up to $1,000; businesses, 30 percent up to $30,000," he said. "This tax credit is applied to any system placed into service by 12/31/14 and is retroactive to the beginning of the year. So go out and buy your favorite EV driver an EVSE for the holidays," he said. An electric motorcycle credit was killed at the last minute as Congress was getting ready to leave, but H.R. 5771 did extend the Alternative Fuels Excise Tax Credits for liquefied hydrogen and other alternative fuels. These sorts of tax credit battles happen all year long. In July, Blumenthal introduced the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Infrastructure Act of 2014, which never got out of the Finance Committee. Back to the hydrogen vehicle situation.

Toyota Camry to go turbo

As automakers strive to meet regulations, turbocharging is rapidly becoming the norm whether looking at pickups, sports cars or family sedans. However, Toyota remains a stalwart to the changing tide, and for the time being a trip into one of the brand's dealers shows nary a hint of forced induction – probably not for long, though. With models like the Lexus NX 200t and forthcoming IS 200t pointing the way, a big shift is afoot for one of the Japanese automaker's most popular products. Obviously, Toyota is no stranger to forced induction for performance applications like the turbocharged models of the Supra and MR2 in the '90s. But rather than reducing lap times, the latest application is more about improving emissions and fuel economy. According to Automotive News, the Camry is getting a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder in the near future as a replacement for its V6 engine option. The 3.5-liter six currently in the venerable sedan already makes 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, versus 235 hp and 258 lb-ft in the NX 200t or 241 hp and 258 lb-ft in the IS from the new four. The base four-cylinder also might receive some upgrades. It could grow larger and run on the Atkinson cycle to find improvements, according to Automotive News. There might be a move towards CVTs, as well. Toyota is hardly alone in the shift towards forced induction. Honda is known to have a 1.5-liter turbo mill on the way for the next-gen Civic. In addition, that engine might find its way into the Accord and CR-V as well, according to Automotive News. Among the major Japanese automakers, only Nissan is taking a more measured approach towards forced induction in mainstream models. Rather than going all-in on turbos, the company is expected to shift more of its engines to direct injection to go after fuel economy gains.

Scion FR-S pitted against oldtimers RX-8 and S2000

There are very few vehicles available today that compare directly with the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ twins. A case could be made for the Mazda MX-5 Miata, and possibly even six-cylinder versions of American coupes like the Ford Mustang. Pretty much everything else is either too expensive or is powered by the wrong set of wheels.
The boys from EverydayDriver on YouTube decided the only fair way to judge the inherent qualities of the Toyobaru twins was to pit them against two standard-bearers of years past: The Honda S2000 and Mazda RX-8. Neither of these cars is an exact matchup, with the Honda boasting a convertible top and the RX-8 offering more practicality via a rear seat and two reverse-opening doors for easier access. What they do offer, however, are similar performance stats and proven reputations for excellent handling.
None of this talk answers the real question, though: Which one wins the comparison test? Scroll down to watch the video, and be prepared for something of a surprise conclusion.