Murphy Analysts 6123030783 Copyright Business Wire 2009

Murphy (Analysts), 612-303-0783 Copyright Business Wire 2009. By John Crawley Stocks Funds News ETFs News Private Capital WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Senate lawmakers on Tuesdayproposed doubling the number of plug-in electric hybridseligible for consumer tax credits as a way to stimulate saleswhen the vehicles hit showrooms late next year. PresidentBarack Obama set in motion a process that could forceautomakers to improve fuel efficiency in coming years bysharply reducing tailpipe emissions Although U.S. and other major manufacturers have longfought such a mandate, they have accelerated efforts to producemore gasoline-electric hybrids and develop a blueprint forintroducing an even more environmentally friendlyelectric-drive vehicles. "There's a race to be the first to market and we hope towin it," said Greg Martin, a spokesman for General Motors CorpGM.N, which has based a large part of its future on theplug-in Volt. The Volt is due out next year and is designed to run 40miles (64 km) on a single charge.

Ford Motor Co (F.N) and Chrysler LLC CBS.UL are planningelectric vehicles as well. GM has not announced an initial production run or a retailprice for the Volt, but costs to consumers of first-generationplug-in sedans and sports cars now offered by start-upcompanies can reach $100,000. Lobbyists for big automakers believe stimulus legislationcan help the industry shake its severe sales slump, whichprompted a $17 billion government bailout of GM and Chrysler inDecember. Consumer tax credits were instrumental in boosting earlyhybrid sales, especially for the Prius from Japan's ToyotaMotor Corp (7203.T)(TM.N). Stung by record high fuel prices last summer, consumershave demanded automakers produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. Congress has already made available $25 billion in loans tohelp U.S.

Senate lawmakers want the Obama administration to doublethe loan program. (Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) Stocks Funds News ETFs News Private Capital. Big Weekend in the SECFor the conference that has been called "The NFL of College Football," the time begins now What time Time for separation Time to show what your team has Time to put up or shut up. Beginning this weekend, there are games all over the south that will begin determining the SEC pecking order.