Cash is better

Oh, no. This is not the obligatory post about Typhoon Ondoy. I will not write about it unless people stop the blame game -- politicos blaming the government and government (plus others) blame us (you know, anthropogenic global warming and climate change). But these people did their part quickly without hesitation, without complaining.

But I will say this: I thought LPG- and CNG-powered hybrid and flex-fueled vehicles were cleaner and more economical? Then why did US authorities through the Cash for Clunkers program accept these types of vehicles to be turned in for cash (to be buy new cars)? Oh, cash is better of course.

One rule that all clunked cars needed to adhere to was a maximum rating of 18 MPG from the federal government, right? What wasn't required was that the clunked car be considered dirty. After all, it's pretty clear that CNG vehicles burn clean, but that didn't stop 232 of them from meeting their sodium silicate solution-induced death.

We looked through the official, but as of yet unverified, list (PDF) of trade-in cars that were clunked using the Car Allowance Rebate System (Cash for Clunkers) and found that the aforementioned CNG vehicles, 1,779 flex-fuel vehicles and 24 LPG vehicles found their way to the recycler thanks to CARS. Which alternative-fuel models were most dumped? Which single hybrid took a dive?

Here's the top ten list.