Wanna Get Government Cash for Your Green Commute?

Thanks to Uncle Sam, you can get a little more balance in your bank account by switching to a fuel-efficient eco-smart "hybrid car" for a green commute to and from work. Here are the facts on the federal tax incentives that'll help you afford to trade in your gas guzzler and hop into a more earth-friendly vehicle, plus how to make sure you get the cash you deserve if you've already got a hybrid on the road.

The U.S. Government's "Fuel Economy" website has lots of tools and tips for how to drive greener, ranging from a calculator that'll let you figure your ride's energy impact to some of the latest facts about biodiesel. One of the most helpful things you'll find there is info about "hybrid cars" that are eligible for energy tax credits at the federal level. You can save up to $3,000 if you opt for one of these eco-smart "2009 model hybrid cars." (If you've already got a hybrid on the road, you can get cash for that too. Check out the list of pre-2009 cars eligible for "hybrid energy tax credits" and see if your chariot is on there. If you've got a pre-2006 model, you may still be able to claim a $2000 clean fuel tax deduction, so check that out.)

Put your sweet new tax break together with the money you'll save by "using less gasoline," and there's only one word that comes to mind: Ka-ching!

Feel the need for sustainable speed? See what eco-engineers are doing to create super-charged but low-impact cars, bikes, and planes on Planet Green TV's Mean Green Machines.