Maybe your company has a soft spot in its capitalist heart for hybrid cars. Several firms are offering rebates to employees who buy hybrids. According to 40mpg.org, Bank of America in Boston is offering employees $3,000 if they buy hybrid cars. Google also offers employees $3,000 for a new hybrid vehicle purchase and $2,500 for a leased hybrid.

Companies offer these incentives to hybrid owners because it's good for the environment, it's good for the company's image, and it may help companies balance out some of the federal mandates for car-pooling to cut energy consumption by commuters.

This is all on top of the government tax credits of $500 to $3,400 that are available for many hybrids this year. Combine those two incentives, and a preference for a hybrid is a no-brainer. Compared with the cost of a gas-engine car, the typical hybrid premium is roughly $3,000. And it takes (again, roughly) five to seven years to earn back the premium, with no incentives.

Governments are also providing other incentives for hybrid owners. In California, hybrids with just the driver inside can use HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes. And New Haven, Connecticut lets you park your hybrid free at municipal parking meters.