Washington - The 1-billion-dollar US "cash-for-clunkers" programme has run out of money just days after it was launched, prompting US lawmakers on Friday to call for additional money for the hotly popular car programme.

US Senator Debbie Stabenow of car-industry-dependent Michigan and other lawmakers are pushing for an added 2 billion dollars for the programme, to be taken possibly from the economic stimulus funds earmarked for the Energy Department.

The "cash- for-clunkers" programme is modelled on a German initiative that gives customers money to trade in petrol guzzlers for cleaner alternatives. The programme is designed to kick-start US car sales that have plummeted in the deep recession, while also taking older cars that harm the environment off the road.

Stabenow, who confirmed the 1 billion dollars had been committed within six days, said in an interview that the White House supports the idea, according to Bloomberg financial news service.

US transportation officials could not be reached for comment or said they were also awaiting clarification.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that the programme was still in operation and that people "planning on going to buy a car this weekend using this programme, this programme continues to run."

Consumers can get up to 4,500 dollars towards a new car based on how much they improve their fuel efficiency. The administration hopes it can take about 250,000 older cars and trucks out of circulation. The plan was approved by Congress last month and was to have run until November.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is running the program, said Thursday that 22,782 vehicles worth 95.9 million dollars had been sold.

An official there told dpa she could not comment on the situation, as she was also awaiting further clarification. She could not confirm a report in the New York Times that dealers had been told to stop accepting applications. A backlog of applications is blamed for confusion over the programme's status, Bloomberg reported.

Gibbs told reporters Friday morning that the programme "is something we believe can, should and will be extended."

The House of Representatives begins its summer recess on Friday, with the Senate following late next week, adding urgency to finding a solution.(dpa)