Florida, U.S.A.  - Why does Florida's cart dealer suddenly have so many customers?

It’s a mini spending spree, reported by similar dealers across country, that is fueled with your tax dollars.

“No, they're not golf carts,” said Tony Colangelo.

That's an important point because under the stimulus bill signed by President Obama earlier this year,  if you buy an electric vehicle, you get a check back from Uncle Sam for up to $7,500, depending on the size of the batteries it uses.

 But the tax credit goes only to vehicles primarily used on the road. Don't call them golf carts!

“It’s an LSV car,” Tony said.

That's why the IRS just certified the vehicles as eligible for the tax credit.  One model costs less than $9,000, but gets a federal rebate of $6,500. That's more than the $4,500 car buyers got from the Cash for Clunkers program, and they had to turn in an old car to get it. 

It's nearly as much as the soon-to-expire first-time homebuyer tax credit of $8,000 -- and that's to buy a whole house! Customers love it. One said, "I only came in because I was impressed with the fact of the rebate."

"I could foresee using this for all our driving within our community,” said another customer.

The little vehicles can be souped up -- at about $18,000, the Hummer model is pricey. Those who act now get $6,000 back from the government.

The IRS emphasizes that this tax credit does not go to golf carts. It is meant strictly for electric vehicles, primarily used on actual roads.

Officials also point out that the tax is a temporary one with a deadline of December 31.