Bill Allowing Hybrids Into The Carpool Lanes Passes

Arroyo · 08-31-2004, 03:42 AM

In "Hybrids in the Carpool Lane (Without a Carpool)," we wrote about California's proposal to allow drivers of the most fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles access into the carpool lane even without a carpool. That bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) and principally co-authored by George Nakano (D-Torrance), received the support from both the State Senate and Assembly, and was sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for his signature on Thursday. The bill becomes law unless the Governor vetoes it within 30 days.

Although the measure passed, it was not without criticism from some lawmakers, who sided with Ford Motor Company Chairman Bill Ford's position that its strict requirement of only applying to hybrid vehicles that average 45 miles per gallon or more will unfairly exclude Ford's new 35-mpg Escape hybrid SUV...

Bill Allowing Hybrids Into The Carpool Lane Passes - LACB, August 31, 2004

The Honda Civic Hybrid is one of three cars qualifying for HOV access.

DaveG · 08-31-2004, 05:10 AM

And so it should.

Just because a car is a hybrid doesn't necessarily mean that it's environmentally friendly. Just because some monster SUV is a hybrid doesn't magically make it an efficient vehicle.

I wouldn't have any problem with them continually revising the HOV lane rules to require better and better milage requirements as the technology improves.

Now it's time to get other municipalities on-board for HOV-lane access!

On a sidenote, after reading the second blog article, I can't help but hope that hybrids never, ever become associated with vegans like that lady who's complaining that people shouldn't eat honey because it's stealing from the bees... Gah.

Dave.

DaveinOlyWA · 08-31-2004, 11:48 AM

35 mpg hybrid??

i agree, it doesnt have the fuel economy of NON HYBRIDS so why should it receive special allowances?

and besides, 35 mpg is what Ford is saying. as i understand it from a few articles test driving the Escape, real world mileage is not even close to 30.

Gurmail · 08-31-2004, 02:25 PM

Thank you, Dave. I have been sying that for so long but no one has agreed with me yet. See my post " Hybrid SUVs are actually a bad thing" under other cars.

DonDNH · 08-31-2004, 03:26 PM

Does the bill apply only to cars registered in CA, or can tourists also use the HOV lane?

danmiller3 · 08-31-2004, 04:28 PM

Does this mean the bridge tolls are free, as well? The Golden Gate, for example, is free for carpool lane use during rush hour.

Not sure if this applies, though...

bruceha_2000 · 09-01-2004, 12:03 PM

I also agree. If Ford gets it's "we'll see when it hits the road' 36 city /31 highway mpg 2WD Escape hybrid on the HOV lane, then GM will want their 12 mpg Silverado hybrid on there too. "Hey its a hybrid, you are playing favorites, we can't compete". If the dang thing can't get substantially better mpg than a compact, it shouldn't be getting special privileges. In smoggy LA, allowing HOV access should require substantially reduced pollution or reducing the numbers of cars on the road. Both would be better!

From the Ford site

Quote:

"This powerful, compact electric motor is capable of powering the full hybrid Escape up to 25 mph".

Stealth will not happen except in parking lots. As many here have experienced, the best mileage isn't gained by EV off the line up to the posted limit, except maybe downhill.

rmm20 · 09-01-2004, 03:02 PM

Bill requires display of a sticker issued by CA DMV.

An out-of-stater would be unlikely to have one.

There is also a limit on number of stickers authorized -
75000 is last number I saw.

Robert

callinectes · 09-01-2004, 03:45 PM

Go here for Bill Analysis:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_..._asm_floor.html

rmm20 · 09-01-2004, 06:33 PM

The bill includes the following nugget:

11)Require owners of hybrids vehicles that are registered in the
nine-county Bay Area to obtain Fast Trak bridge toll
transponders and establish automatic vehicle identification
(AVI) accounts if they wish to obtain identifiers from DMV to
allow them to travel in HOV lanes.

I have not used a Bay area bridge in the last five years, and have no intention of starting now. But they want me to pay for a transponder
and set up an AVI account if I want to use HoV lanes anywhere
in California...

Our representatives never fail to amaze me. Even on bills I like.

Robert

08-31-2004, 03:42 AM	#1
Arroyo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 170 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Bill Allowing Hybrids Into The Carpool Lanes Passes In "Hybrids in the Carpool Lane (Without a Carpool)," we wrote about California's proposal to allow drivers of the most fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles access into the carpool lane even without a carpool. That bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) and principally co-authored by George Nakano (D-Torrance), received the support from both the State Senate and Assembly, and was sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for his signature on Thursday. The bill becomes law unless the Governor vetoes it within 30 days. Although the measure passed, it was not without criticism from some lawmakers, who sided with Ford Motor Company Chairman Bill Ford's position that its strict requirement of only applying to hybrid vehicles that average 45 miles per gallon or more will unfairly exclude Ford's new 35-mpg Escape hybrid SUV... Bill Allowing Hybrids Into The Carpool Lane Passes - LACB, August 31, 2004 The Honda Civic Hybrid is one of three cars qualifying for HOV access.

08-31-2004, 04:28 PM	#6
danmiller3 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Larkspur, CA Posts: 36 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	carpool lanes mean free bridge tolls? Does this mean the bridge tolls are free, as well? The Golden Gate, for example, is free for carpool lane use during rush hour. Not sure if this applies, though...

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08-31-2004, 05:10 AM	#2
DaveG Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 807 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: C Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	And so it should. Just because a car is a hybrid doesn't necessarily mean that it's environmentally friendly. Just because some monster SUV is a hybrid doesn't magically make it an efficient vehicle. I wouldn't have any problem with them continually revising the HOV lane rules to require better and better milage requirements as the technology improves. Now it's time to get other municipalities on-board for HOV-lane access! On a sidenote, after reading the second blog article, I can't help but hope that hybrids never, ever become associated with vegans like that lady who's complaining that people shouldn't eat honey because it's stealing from the bees... Gah. Dave.

08-31-2004, 11:48 AM	#3
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,676 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	35 mpg hybrid?? i agree, it doesnt have the fuel economy of NON HYBRIDS so why should it receive special allowances? and besides, 35 mpg is what Ford is saying. as i understand it from a few articles test driving the Escape, real world mileage is not even close to 30.

08-31-2004, 02:25 PM	#4
Gurmail Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 244 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thank you, Dave. I have been sying that for so long but no one has agreed with me yet. See my post " Hybrid SUVs are actually a bad thing" under other cars.

08-31-2004, 03:26 PM	#5
DonDNH Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 694 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Does the bill apply only to cars registered in CA, or can tourists also use the HOV lane?

09-01-2004, 03:02 PM	#8
rmm20 Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 61 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Bill requires display of a sticker issued by CA DMV. An out-of-stater would be unlikely to have one. There is also a limit on number of stickers authorized - 75000 is last number I saw. Robert

09-01-2004, 03:45 PM	#9
callinectes Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 16 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Go here for Bill Analysis: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_..._asm_floor.html

09-01-2004, 06:33 PM	#10
rmm20 Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 61 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The bill includes the following nugget: 11)Require owners of hybrids vehicles that are registered in the nine-county Bay Area to obtain Fast Trak bridge toll transponders and establish automatic vehicle identification (AVI) accounts if they wish to obtain identifiers from DMV to allow them to travel in HOV lanes. I have not used a Bay area bridge in the last five years, and have no intention of starting now. But they want me to pay for a transponder and set up an AVI account if I want to use HoV lanes anywhere in California... Our representatives never fail to amaze me. Even on bills I like. Robert