As we slide into the 2012 new model season, there are more fuel-efficient gas-only, gasoline-electric hybrid and pure-electric new vehicles available to new car buyers than ever before.

Yet a new study in a Bloomberg report argues that government incentives to encourage new car buyers to purchase battery-powered cars aren't a cost-effective way to reduce oil use and tailpipe emissions compared with raising the sales of hybrids and plug-in cars that go short distances on electricity alone.

The sudy by Carnegie Mellon University, Arizona State University and the Rand Corp., published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reports that battery breakthroughs, more-expensive oil and a more-efficient electric power grid will be needed to justify the expense, weight and assembly-related costs of "large battery pack" vehicles.

“Current subsidies to support plug-in vehicle adoption favour large battery packs,” the report said.

These packs “are expensive and heavy” and “are underutilized when the battery capacity is larger than needed for a typical trip,” the study said.

The report argues that gas-electric hybrids — like the Toyota Prius and plug-in hybrids that go about 16 km on battery power alone — offer “fuel-use and carbon-exhaust savings” similar to electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt but at a lower cost — an important variable facing new car buyers in a struggling economy.

While the U.S. government offers up to US$7,500 purchase incentives for EVs, starting this past summer, the Ontario government is offering rebates ranging from $5,000 to $8,500 towards the purchase or lease of a new plug-in hybrid electric or battery electric vehicle.

With no government rebates, a 2011 Prius hybrid has a starting price of $27,800.

The Leaf begins at $38,395, but qualifies for an $8,500 incentive, while the $41,545 Volt receives an $8,231 rebate.

Toyota has already announced the plug-in version of its Prius that goes on sale next year will travel 24 kms on electricity before the gasoline engine kicks in.

The car has a US$32,000 base price, prior to a $2,500 U.S. federal tax credit, the company said.

Ford offers up to $3,000 to ‘Retire Your Ride’

If you own a car that’s six years or older, Ford Motor Co. of Canada announced this week that it will give you up to $3,000 toward the purchase of a new Ford vehicle.

Called Ford’s “Recycle Your Ride” program, more than 50,000 older vehicles have been taken off the road since it was first offered in 2009.

"In today’s uncertain economic times, the Ford ‘Recycle Your Ride’ program means more people can now afford a new car with the latest in vehicle safety, fuel economy and smart technology," said David Mondragon, president and CEO, Ford of Canada.

“It's a win-win-win for the consumer, the economy and the environment. I am proud to say that Ford of Canada has helped to recycle more vehicles than any other auto manufacturer.”

To qualify for the Ford Recycle Your Ride program, you must:

- Confirm your eligibility by visiting a Ford dealer with your 2005 or older running vehicle that has been properly registered or insured for at least the last three months.

- Purchase or lease a new Ford vehicle and receive the Recycle Your Ride incentive, over and above current Ford incentives.

Program details will be available at ford.ca as of Sat., Oct. 1.

Porsche to expand lineup with ‘Ferrari fighter’

As Germany’s Porsche becomes more entwined with its parent Volkswagen Group, the one-time sports car-only automaker is looking at expanding its product lineup even further with a new Ferrari fighter and small SUV.

Priced beneath the already confirmed flagship 918-hybrid super car, a report from the U.K.’s Car magazine says a new Porsche mid-engine super car to take on the likes of the Ferrari 458 Italia is in the works.

Called the 960 and due to arrive in late-2015, the sports car is based on a new modular platform, also slated for the next 911, due three years later.

A 600 hp twin-turbo 3.8-litre flat six cylinder is said to power the 960.

As part of the German brand’s goal of selling 150,000 vehicles annually by 2013, compared to its approximate 81,000-unit current volume, Porsche will launch a smaller SUV than its Cayenne.

Currently called the Cajun (the name still hasn’t been signed off) the “baby” Cayenne is scheduled to go into production in spring 2013.

Based on the facelifted Audi Q5, the Cajun will be offered first as a four-door, with a two-door version a year later.

To differentiate the Porsche from the Audi, the estimated 15 per cent more expensive Cajun will apparently offer the dashboard of the new Boxster and a Panamera-style, angled centre console.

Globally, engines will range from a 240 hp 2.0-litre turbo-I4 to a 265 hp 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel — a 20 hp boost over comparable Q5 powerplants.

12 nominated to be automotive jury’s best car

As sure as the leaves start to turn colour in Autumn, automotive journalists begin announcing new car awards.

One of the first of the season is from the Canadian Automotive Jury, which has announced the finalists for its third annual Best of the Best Award.

Reflecting the wide variety that Canadian new-car buyers are faced with in the new car market, the Jury’s 2012 Best of the Best Finalists include the Audi A7, BMW 1 Series, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Volt, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Infiniti M, Kia Optima, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mini Countryman, Range Rover Evoque and the reigning 2011 Best of the Best Winner, the Ford Fiesta, which is automatically included as a finalist.

The Volkswagen Golf won the inaugural CAJ Best of the Best award for 2010.

The Canadian Automotive Jury’s annual awards are unique in Canada. The not-for-profit organization is made up and funded by 10 journalists, including yours truly, who cover the automotive industry in Canada.