Just another should-you-go-hybrid? story from SmartMoney.com. As usual, the answer to the headline's question isn't in the text. Instead, they list seven ways that you can save cash by buying a hybrid car.

Seven ways in addition to buying less gas, that is.

Anyway, here's my favorite part:

"Several major cities — including Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Albuquerque — offer free metered parking for hybrids. Other cities are considering similar measures. Free parking doesn't mean you can't be ticketed, however, so abide by the meter restrictions — no hogging that prime space all day in a two-hour spot. You'll also need to register your car. Albuquerque asks residents to register with the city's parking office, and place an identification sticker in the vehicle window.

"Hybrid owners can also save on parking permits. Baltimore is offering discounted passes at 15 of its parking garages. At the garage on St. Paul Street, for example, you'll pay only $100 for a monthly pass, compared with $185 for regular vehicles. That's a savings of 46%. In Westchester, N.Y., hybrid owners get free parking at two commuter lots. Passes normally cost $75."

Get more of the financial side of buying a hybrid in the full article.

And before you buy your hybrid to get free parking, check with your city's specific rules for this type of thing -- I read complaints on a Prius message forum that San Jose's law, for example, may require that you buy your hybrid car in San Jose to qualify.

That is a clever way to get more people behind passing that sort of bill, though -- suddenly you've got all of the greenies united with the car dealerships on it.