Hybrids on California HOV Lanes Okayed - GreenHybrid

Jason · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2005, 01:32 PM

Quote:

A transportation bill signed Wednesday by President Bush includes a provision by Congressman Brad Sherman that cleared the way for California to allow hybrid vehicles on High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.

"This gives California a way to ease freeway congestion and promote the use of more fuel-efficient cars," Sherman said.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced Wednesday that it was moving ahead with plans to issue special stickers to owners of hybrid vehicles that would allow them to drive in HOV lanes with only one person in the car.

http://www.americanchronicle.com/art...articleID=1816

the_13th_saint · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2005, 08:52 PM

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg1000.htm

Hybrid_SUV · #3 (**permalink**) 08-16-2005, 02:00 AM

Just wait...although it sounds GREAT, Californians will soon find themselves in the same situation as we have here in N. VA. Everyone will rush out to buy that Priuis or Honda Civic Hybrid. Then no one will want to carpool. Then.....the HOV lanes will be clogged with single driver hybrids. Kinda' defeats the purpose of HOV lanes, don't it?

BTW, a study last year found that at certain times of the day...it actually takes MORE time because of congestion(primarily b/c of the hybrid exception) in the HOV lanes than the regular traffic lanes on I-395 into DC!

Another consequence will be a shortage of hybrids and thus higher prices as everyone rushes out to buy a Prius so they can use the HOV lanes.

That's why VA's HOV exemption will expire next summer.

Nate Green

Hybrid_SUV · #4 (**permalink**) 08-16-2005, 02:06 AM

BTW, If you really want to be friendly to the environment...you'd "slug" to work! Check this out: http://www.slug-lines.com/Index.htm

Nate

katie · #5 (**permalink**) 08-16-2005, 06:20 AM

Also... don't get to excited... There are a LOT of new hybrids that don't qualify: Ford Escape, Honda Accord, Toyota Highlander.... If the hybrid car is new it not only has to be hybrid, it has to have epa mpg of 45mpg or greater.

Gillman · #6 (**permalink**) 08-16-2005, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katie

Also... don't get too excited... There are a LOT of new hybrids that don't qualify: Ford Escape, Honda Accord, Toyota Highlander.... If the hybrid car is new it not only has to be hybrid, it has to have epa mpg of 45mpg or greater.

Yeah ... However ... What I find interesting is that FEH & Mariner hybrids meet the ATPZEV emission standard, but are disqualified due to not meeting the 45MPG minimum fuel economy. Meanwhile the Highlander, Lexus Rx400h, Accord hybrids are disqualified because they meet neither the emission standard nor the minimum fuel economy. Even the 2005 Insight is disqualified because it does not meet the emission standard.

Could it be that Ford/Mercury uses greener engines than Toyota/Lexus & Honda?

See http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/carpool/carpool.htm

-Dan