So many consumers are rushing out to buy gas-electric hybrid vehicles that federal tax credits used as incentives to purchase the vehicles will soon become less generous for at least one model.

Tax credits for Toyota’s hybrids will be cut in half beginning Oct. 1 because the automaker has reached a limit for hybrid vehicle sales set forth in federal legislation, said Martha Voss, manager of government and policy issues for Toyota Motor Sales’ Washington office.

Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 passed by Congress, automakers can sell up to 60,000 hybrid vehicles before buyers lose some of the available tax credits on an automakers’ hybrid models.

“We blew by 60,000 in the middle of May,” Voss said. “If you take delivery by Sept. 30, you’re OK.”

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Toyota Prius sedan buyers get a tax credit of $3,500 on their 2006 federal income taxes, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

But under IRS guidelines, buyers can take the full tax credit for a hybrid vehicle if they buy it within the next quarter after the manufacturer reaches the 60,000 sales mark for its lineup of hybrid models.

“Consumers seeking the credit may want to buy early because the full credit is only available for a limited time,” the IRS said in a statement.

An IRS spokesman said the agency could not remark beyond the statement.

Hybrid buyers can get 50 percent of the full tax credit for the two calendar quarters after the 60,000 sales mark is reached and then 25 percent of the full tax credit for the fourth and fifth quarters after the 60,000 sales mark is reached, according to the IRS.

Ed Gordon, a sales manager at Antwerpen Toyota in Clarksville, said the tax break has been a good bonus for customers buying the Prius.

“That’s free money, not a tax deduction but a tax credit,” Gordon said.

He added, “It’s still a good deal at 50 percent.”

Honda and Ford also sell hybrid models. Neither automakers is near the 60,000 sales limit, according to the IRS.

eeldridge@baltimoreexaminer.com