Georgia HOV lane news and POLL

megeant · 06-09-2006, 11:40 AM

I recently bought a used 04 package #1 and love the car. I went to get my tags today and asked about the AFV tags. I was told that it wasnt qualified to get the AF tag. I was shocked. She showed me a list of vehicles that are( here on priusonline )
Seems only Ethanol fuel vehicles are. Only Georgia Power Ethanol vehicles are the exception. Needless to say I was shocked.

kkb · 06-09-2006, 02:35 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Megeant @ Jun 9 2006, 11:40 AM) [snapback]268610[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I recently bought a used 04 package #1 and love the car. I went to get my tags today and asked about the AFV tags. I was told that it wasnt qualified to get the AF tag. I was shocked. She showed me a list of vehicles that are( here on priusonline )
Seems only Ethanol fuel vehicles are. Only Georgia Power Ethanol vehicles are the exception. Needless to say I was shocked.
[/b]

Although the Georgia legislature passed a law that would allow certain hybrids to get ATV tags and use the HOV lanes, the state EPD is waiting for the regulations from the EPA on interpretation of the federal legislation that passed last summer. I don't understand why GA has to wait when other states have already implemented the hybrid HOV provision.

megeant · 06-10-2006, 12:08 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kkb @ Jun 9 2006, 02:35 PM) [snapback]268716[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Although the Georgia legislature passed a law that would allow certain hybrids to get ATV tags and use the HOV lanes, the state EPD is waiting for the regulations from the EPA on interpretation of the federal legislation that passed last summer. I don't understand why GA has to wait when other states have already implemented the hybrid HOV provision.
[/b]

Because everything happens so slow in georgia. If they go any slower they will be going backwards

But I sure do like living here

jimmyhua · 06-13-2006, 08:04 PM

Actually the thing that I am more surprised about is the fact that the Prius cannot use FlexFuels.

Ethanol is much easier to burn than gasoline. It's easier to make an engine run efficiently with alcohol than it is gas. The only difference is the air/fuel mix ratio.

So why can't the Prius burn Ethanol like a 2001 Ford Taurus?

Jimmy

wstander · 06-14-2006, 04:28 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jimmyhua @ Jun 13 2006, 05:04 PM) [snapback]270804[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Actually the thing that I am more surprised about is the fact that the Prius cannot use FlexFuels.

Ethanol is much easier to burn than gasoline. It's easier to make an engine run efficiently with alcohol than it is gas. The only difference is the air/fuel mix ratio.

So why can't the Prius burn Ethanol like a 2001 Ford Taurus?

Jimmy
[/b]

Some brave souls have experimented with up to 35% ethanol with no ill effects.

Unfortunately, you may not wish to. Check out the mpg difference on FFVs between gasoline and E85; in most cases the fuel consumption increases with E85 (ie: 30mpg on gas goes to 22mpg on E85).

I suspect that someone could modify a Prius to not only burn ethanol, but retuned to be more efficient.

It won't happen in California, but...

mikepaul · 06-14-2006, 04:32 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jimmyhua @ Jun 13 2006, 08:04 PM) [snapback]270804[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

So why can't the Prius burn Ethanol like a 2001 Ford Taurus?
[/b]

When Japan finds a way to grow enough corn to make and use E85 at home, they'll start engineering cars to burn it.

Until then, they seem unwilling to E85-ize their cars just for us...

andrle@bellsouth.net · 10-06-2006, 01:13 PM

This web site link has a good summary of where things stand officially: http://www.dot.state.ga.us/specialsu.../hov-afv.shtml

Georgia law allowing hybrids to get "Alternative Fueled Vehicle" license plates (aka tags) and to drive in HOV lanes is at Georgia Code Section 32-9-4 (allowing use of Georgia’s HOV lanes by certain hybrids if such use of HOV lanes is permitted by Federal law), and Section 40-2-76 (specifying the issuance of license plates for hybrid vehicles for such use).

Georgia's Department of Natural Resources has taken the position that they must wait for the U.S. E.P.A. to conduct a rule making and issue a list of vehicles. However, this position is belied by the fact that other states have already proceeded to enable HOV access. Florida is one example – right next door. A year ago already Florida issued its list of approved vehicles and implemented their program (using vehicle stickers). You can view it at http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/html/titlinf.html I brought this to the attention of William Cook, who is in charge of this issue at Georgia DNR’s Environmental Protection Division (404- 363-7028), almost a year ago. Yet as I understand it they have NOT followed Florida’s example and moved this thing forward.

Why Florida has moved forward smoothly on this issue, while Georgia’s state agencies are frozen on this and flouting Georgia law?

Call Mr. Cook and complain. Also contact Judy Reynolds at Governor Purdue's office (who handles DNR matters) and complain -- 404-656-1776.

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06-09-2006, 11:40 AM	#1
megeant Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I recently bought a used 04 package #1 and love the car. I went to get my tags today and asked about the AFV tags. I was told that it wasnt qualified to get the AF tag. I was shocked. She showed me a list of vehicles that are( here on priusonline ) Seems only Ethanol fuel vehicles are. Only Georgia Power Ethanol vehicles are the exception. Needless to say I was shocked.

06-13-2006, 08:04 PM	#4
jimmyhua Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 42 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Actually the thing that I am more surprised about is the fact that the Prius cannot use FlexFuels. Ethanol is much easier to burn than gasoline. It's easier to make an engine run efficiently with alcohol than it is gas. The only difference is the air/fuel mix ratio. So why can't the Prius burn Ethanol like a 2001 Ford Taurus? Jimmy

10-06-2006, 01:13 PM	#7
andrle@bellsouth.net Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	This web site link has a good summary of where things stand officially: http://www.dot.state.ga.us/specialsu.../hov-afv.shtml Georgia law allowing hybrids to get "Alternative Fueled Vehicle" license plates (aka tags) and to drive in HOV lanes is at Georgia Code Section 32-9-4 (allowing use of Georgia’s HOV lanes by certain hybrids if such use of HOV lanes is permitted by Federal law), and Section 40-2-76 (specifying the issuance of license plates for hybrid vehicles for such use). Georgia's Department of Natural Resources has taken the position that they must wait for the U.S. E.P.A. to conduct a rule making and issue a list of vehicles. However, this position is belied by the fact that other states have already proceeded to enable HOV access. Florida is one example – right next door. A year ago already Florida issued its list of approved vehicles and implemented their program (using vehicle stickers). You can view it at http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/html/titlinf.html I brought this to the attention of William Cook, who is in charge of this issue at Georgia DNR’s Environmental Protection Division (404- 363-7028), almost a year ago. Yet as I understand it they have NOT followed Florida’s example and moved this thing forward. Why Florida has moved forward smoothly on this issue, while Georgia’s state agencies are frozen on this and flouting Georgia law? Call Mr. Cook and complain. Also contact Judy Reynolds at Governor Purdue's office (who handles DNR matters) and complain -- 404-656-1776.