Electric vehicles won't solve Atlanta's air quality problems, but they can help, said U.S. Rep. Mac Collins this week.

Collins last week announced introduction of proposed new incentives to increase the use of clean-running electric cars and trucks.

"It's going to take a combination of a lot of things to help us over the current standards of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)," said Collins, who represents Fayette and several other counties south and west of Atlanta.

"There are some other modes of transportation we're going to have to look at," added the Hampton Republican, "plus alternative fuels like natural gas and propane."

Large employers are studying ideas like telecommuting and strategic location of facilities, Collins said. "BellSouth is moving three complexes closer to MARTA lines," he said.

Electric vehicles promise the most dramatic reduction of transportation related pollution, but they are also currently among the most costly solutions. Current models that can go 100 or more miles on a battery charge sell for more than twice what a comparable gasoline model costs.

Collins said the latest prototype, an electric fuel cell that can go 200 to 250 miles without a charge, costs $35,000 for the fuel cell alone.

Collins' proposal would make a $4,000 federal tax deduction available for electric vehicle purchase, and makes clean fuel tax deductions apply to leases as well as purchases.

Under the proposal, governments, which usually lease their vehicles, would be able to pass the deduction along to the leasing company for providing electric vehicles.

Passage of the proposal is "not a done deal," Collins said, but added he is hopeful the measure can be part of the year 2000 budget.