Cash-for-Clunkers Bill Heads to White House

The Cash-for-Clunkers program, which has been much-debated over the past few months, finally passed Congress, riding on the coattails of an emergency war funding bill, which now awaits President Obama’s signature.

Car owners could get a voucher worth $3,500 if they traded in a vehicle getting 18 miles per gallon or less for one getting at least 22 m.p.g. The voucher would grow to $4,500 if the new car’s mileage was 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle. The m.p.g. figures are listed on the car’s window sticker.

Owners of sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks or minivans getting 18 m.p.g. or less could receive a voucher for $3,500 if their new truck or S.U.V. got at least 2 m.p.g. higher than their old vehicle. The voucher would increase to $4,500 if the mileage of the new truck or S.U.V. was at least 5 m.p.g. higher than the older vehicle.

Original article: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...lunkers&st=cse