I brought my daughter to work with me today and I finally got to get in the HOV lane... I found myself driving faster and losing MPG's just to keep up. I guess this may be a good problem to have, I don't mind sacrificing some miles to gain some time.

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2004 Honda Civic Hybrid MT
I can't remember the last time I filled up

Hey there, I have lost MPG in the carpool lane as well. Here in WA, the carpool lane loses restriction at 7pm. I've found that the later I leave work and more I use the carpool lane in a given week, the less MPG I get.

I've gained MPG by using the HOV lane. When traffic is flowing freely, I usually just stay in the middle to right-hand lanes at 65mph. I use the carpool lane as a way to bypass congested spots. Driving a steady 75mph in the HOV is a lot more efficient (and a lot quicker) than 35mph with frequent stops, followed by quickly re-accelerating up to 65.

The only times I normally stay in the carpool lane for an extended period of time are for long trips when I actually have other people in the car, so this is the same as before I had the sticker.

The whole HOV for hybrids theory is a bit off when you consider that the net effect is that fuel inefficent cars are stuck in heavy traffic longer and end up creating more CO2.

I know that people will counter that this will provide an incentive for commuters to buy hybrids, but with a cap placed on the number of hybrids allowed in the HOV lane (at least in CA where I live) that argument is not valid. New hybrid converts will be over the cap and won't be able to use the HOV lane.

The best argument is that it might inspire others to carpool, but that's a stretch.