A clunker of a plan

The "cash-for-clunkers" plan to boost car sales and take gas-guzzling cars off the road advanced with a Senate proposal identical to that in House legislation.

The plan has dual appeal. More fuel-efficient cars on the highways are expected to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming by taking 1 million fuel-inefficient vehicles off the road.

Supporters say it will help spark auto sales by offering federally subsidized vouchers to new car buyers who trade in their old vehicles.

But the plan is running into some roadblocks from those who say it doesn't go far enough to achieve significant fuel savings. The House version and Senate bill introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan would offer vouchers of $3,500 and $4,500 when trading in an old car for one that gets better mileage. But critics point out that the savings will be minimal.

A car owner only has to purchase a new car that gets at least 4 mpg more than their old car or as little as 22 mpg to receive $3,500. For large trucks, the new truck only has to exceed the fuel efficiency of the trade-in by 1 mpg to qualify for a $3,500 voucher. Trade-ins would have to be scrapped to make sure they did not find their way back onto the highway.

The mileage goals fall short of current fuel-economy standards. Vehicle owners who could afford to will be able to trade in their car or truck for a new one that does not get much better mileage with the help of taxpayers.

Since the trade-in would have to get less than 18 mpg, the owner of a car averaging 20 mpg would not qualify for the voucher even if they bought a new vehicle getting 35 mpg.

The goal of 1 million vehicles is a small percentage of the 250 million or more vehicles on the road now.

The plan could potentially cost between $3.5 billion and $4.5 billion. Opponents see that as another subsidy of an industry that has already received tens of billions of dollars in federal help.

Congress should scrap this clunker.