You can still get cash for your clunker

(Photo: Kristoffer Tripplaar / Sipa Press)

As has been widely reported, August 24 marks the official end of the popular Cash for Clunkers program.

But that doesn't mean the U.S. government has stopped doling out money to people who purchase new, fuel-efficient vehicles. You just have to wait longer to cash in, and the payout isn't as big.

There are still tax credits available for anyone who purchase qualifying hybrid vehicles.

The trick is that the tax credit becomes less and less generous as more of each model are sold. (Tax credits for popular Toyota and Honda hybrids have already sold out, for instance, and Ford and Mercury brands are fast running out.)

You don't even have to trade in a clunker to take advantage of this program. Though, if you do have a clunker to get rid of, you can maximize your tax credit by donating it to a nonprofit organization such as Alliance to Save Energy, which allows you to deduct its value as a charitable contribution.

The bonus for the environment is that -- just like the government Cash for Clunkers program -- the Alliance to Save Energy will see to it that your inefficient old vehicle is permanently removed from the road, thus reducing overall pollution and demand for gas.

So which vehicles qualify? Take a look:

2009 Mazda Tribute (Photo: Mazda USA)

Hybrid Vehicle Tax Credits

The figures below are up to date, according to the Alliance to Save Energy's list of incentives and the government's fueleconomy.gov site, but these figures do not reflect all the details.

Tax credits vary according to model year, whether the vehicle is a 2WD or 4WD and other factors.

The one consistent part is that only hybrid gas-electric versions of these models apply, not their gas-only cousins. (The * denotes the most fuel-efficient 2009 models.)

• * Mazda Tribute: $1,950: $3,000
• * Nissan Altima: $2,350
• Chevrolet Tahoe: $2,200
• Chrysler Aspen: $2,200
• Dodge Durango: $2,200
• GMC Yukon 1500: $2,200
• Cadillac Escalade: $1,800 - $2,200
• GMC Sierra: $250 - $2,200
• Ford Fusion: $1,700 (until Sept. 30)
• Mercury Milan: $1,700 (until Sept. 30)
• Chevrolet Malibu: $1,300 - $1,550
• Saturn Aura: $1,300 - $1,550
• Saturn Vue: $650 - $1,550
• * Ford Escape: $975 - $1,500 (until Sept. 30)
• * Mercury Mariner: $975 - $1,500 (until Sept. 30)
• Chevrolet Silverado: $250 - $650

More From The Daily Green

• The 14 Cars of 2009 That Get Better Than 30 MPG
• 10 of the Clunkiest Clunkers Swapped for Cash
• Five Little Fuel-Efficient Cars That Dazzled the NY Auto Show
• Eight Micro Cars Set to Take Over the American Road
• The Auto X Prize: Racing for a 100 MPG Car and $10 Million

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc

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