Americans give mixed reviews to Congress’ “Cash for Clunkers” plan to encourage the purchase of new, more fuel-efficient cars.

Forty-two percent (42%) favor the proposal to offer car owners up to $4,500 if they turn in their old vehicle and put the money toward an energy-saving replacement, but 34% oppose it.

However, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that hardly anybody is paying attention to the plan just yet. Only 14% of Americans say they are following news reports about it even somewhat closely.

While the plan will benefit struggling U.S. automakers, just 34% of investors support it. Forty-six percent (46%) don’t like the idea.

Similar programs are already in existence in California and Texas, and supporters of the federal legislation hope to get one million older cars off the road, according to a report in The Washington Post.

Those participating in the survey were not told how much the program might cost. Initial estimates indicate the program could cost taxpayers one or two billion dollars annually.

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The federal government and the United Auto Workers union are expected to become the majority owners of General Motors and Chrysler under the deals now being worked out by President Obama’s auto task force. If that happens, most Americans (57%) believe the government is likely to pass laws and regulations that give GM and Chrysler an unfair advantage over other car companies.

Sixty percent (60%) of voters still think, looking back, that the government auto loans to keep GM and Chrysler in business were a bad idea. Seventy percent (70%) oppose any additional bailout funding for the two failing auto companies.

In January, 51% of voters supported the idea of tax credits for those who buy more energy-efficient, alternative fuel cars, but this was down seven points from a year earlier.

At the beginning of the year, 49% said they would prefer to buy an alternative-fuel vehicle to a traditional gasoline-powered one.

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