HOV lanes; exemption for clean special fuel vehicles. Extends the "sunset" to 2007 authorizing the use of HOV lanes by vehicles bearing clean special fuel vehicle license plates. This bill also provides that all clean special fuel vehicle license plates issued after July 1, 2006, be issued with a new design distinctively different from the design of the previous plates. Also, on HOV lanes serving the I-95/395 corridor, only vehicles registered with and displaying clean special fuel vehicle license plates prior to July 1, 2006, shall be treated as vehicles displaying special license plates issued under this section. This bill also directs the Commissioner of DMV to develop procedures to ensure that all potential purchasers of clean special fuel vehicle license plates receive adequate notice of the benefits, risks and timelines required for the issuance of these plates. In addition, this bill raises the annual fee for clean special fuel vehicle license plates from $10 to $25, with funds being paid to the HOV Enforcement Fund for use by Virginia State Police for enhanced HOV enforcement. This bill also increases first and second offense fines in Planning District Eight to $125 and $250 respectively.

04/19/06 House: Enacted, Chapter 873 (effective 7/1/06)

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...061+sum+HB1248

Keith
__________________________
06' Toyota Prius - Seaside Pearl
Pkg #7 w/ Leather, PIAA Sport Horns

04' Volvo XC90 T5

96' Yahama Virago 1100 Special

So let me see if I follow the logic.

Remove the single occupant hybrids from crusing along in the HOV lanes and make them sit in the bumper to bumper traffic of the regular lanes to reduce congestion?

I got my FEH in March and just recived my special plate last month. I live in Norfolk where the HOV lines are not as coveted or utilized as they are in NOVA. I am willing to bet that this sunset provision will continue to be passed allowing only hybrids purchased before June 30, 2006 to drive in HOV. This is essentially placing a cap on the amount of vehicles in HOV. It seems to all state delegates, this is a no-brainer as the bill had a lot of support. From my research online, the only people that seeem to be peeved are the slugs. As long as there is such a high cheat rate, I will NEVER accept that it is the hybrids that are the problem.

Guess I'd better stop procrastinating and get my plate. I'm still trying to figure out a good vanity plate, but the six character limit is killing me.

And increase the MPG of the hybrid vehicles. We tend to do better in City.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Not my experience so far in my new HCH. May be true for the Prius because of the electric start capability.

Hey, here's an idea. How about we only let the HCH in HOV lanes and have the Prius drivers in the regular lanes. We'd be helping them by giving them the opportunity for greater gas mileage.


Just kidding.

Dan

This is exactly why WA does not allow hybrids in the HOV lanes. I have to agree with them. Lots of ill-will seems to be generated by making hybrids a priviliged category.

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

We need to dispel this myth that hybrids are a privelidged vehicle that is beyond the means of the average person. Last I checked, both the HCH and the Prius sold for lower than the price of the average new car. One of the first objections that I hear people gripe about the use of hybrids in the HOV is that this is the "rich" buying their way in. Bottom line, hybrid owners are early adopters who through their purchases are propagating investment into the cars of the future. Why not give them a little extra incentive?

Actually I didn't mean "priviliged" as in money. I consider my $21K HCH a responsibly priced car and well within the means of most buyers. I recently posted in another thread a quote from a news report where an Escelade driver essentially said, "I have this $60,000 Escalade and I can't use the HOV lane." That's someone who feels they are priviliged in the sense you described.

I meant priviliged in the sense that becase we drive a certain kind of car, we can use HOV lanes with one occupant as opposed to two. This, I have observed, is the primary complaint. That's why WA doesn't do it. The HOV lanes are specifically there to encourage car pools. Driving a hybrid (with one occupant) does nothing to relieve congestion, which is why I think most folks object. The fact that we can in some states, makes us special, which I don't believe helps matters.

As for incentive, we already received tax breaks of one kind or another when we bought the car. I think CA would do better to offer a state incentive like the tax break (maybe make license registration $1 or something) rather than change the rules of the HOV lane.

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

The problem with the congestion argument is that in my opinion, the majority of HOV lanes are under utilized. This is the rational for the HOT (High Occupancy Tolls) debate which people are also against. Why not push more cars into the HOV, thus eliminating some congestion in the regular lanes? I am NOT exagerating by saying that in Hampton Roads, the HOV lanes are largely empty even as traffic on 64 is bumper to bumper. I do like what Virginia has done though. They realized that the lanes were getting fuller so they are sunsetting the provision.