L.A. Times: Gov. Backs Hybrids in State's Carpool Lane

[TJ]

The L.A. Times has an online article regarding yesterday's press conference to allow hybrids to use the HOV lanes. The article is "Gov. Backs Hybrids in State's Carpool Lanes". The link is http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hy...ines-california. I don't have an account to view the article, if someone else does, perhaps they could post the text?

Tom

[jkash]

Here is the text:

Gov. Backs Hybrids in State's Carpool Lanes
By Sara Lin
Times Staff Writer

April 9, 2004

The administration of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday endorsed new legislation that would allow solo drivers in hybrid electric vehicles to use carpool lanes, saying the measure would help reduce air pollution and encourage energy independence.

Standing outside the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, with the San Diego Freeway as a backdrop, state Treasurer Phil Angelides and California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Terry Tamminen also voiced support for the bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills).

"At a time of record gas prices, this reminds Californians that there are smart ways in which they can cut their gasoline bills," Angelides said.

Current law limits carpool lane access to vehicles carrying two or more people, motorcycles, and zero-emission cars such as electric and compressed natural gas cars. Hybrid vehicles have a gasoline engine with an electric motor.

Administration officials say the governor supports the bill, which they said represents the first step toward achieving his vision of a "hydrogen highway" in which cars would be powered by hydrogen rather than petroleum. Schwarzenegger has promised to convert his own fleet of Hummers to run on hydrogen.

"His support of this bill is saying that he believes in this technology and he knows how important it is," said Michele St. Martin, a spokeswoman for Cal-EPA.

To show his support for fuel-efficient technologies, Schwarzenegger on March 30 climbed behind the wheel of a new hybrid diesel FedEx delivery truck — one of hundreds that will eventually replace the company's current diesel fleet.

The bill will be considered by the Legislature for the first time Monday when the Assembly Transportation Committee begins hearings. If passed, the legislation would allow hybrid cars that achieve at least 45 miles per gallon and meet strict emission standards to travel in carpool lanes. The legislation would require a federal waiver called for in a transportation bill now before Congress.

Cars currently on the market that meet the standards called for in the state proposal include the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius. Other companies have announced plans to make hybrid sport utility vehicles.

Drivers with eligible cars would obtain a "Clean Air Vehicle" sticker from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill would limit the number of decals that could be given out to 75,000.

California has 1,112 miles of carpool lanes, roughly 40% of the nation's total. The state hopes to add about 1,045 more miles of carpool lanes by 2030, state officials say.

Hybrid cars appear to be gaining in popularity, said Michael Love, national regulatory affairs manager for Toyota. Buyers in California have to wait at least three months for its 2004 Prius. As of October, there were an estimated 20,000 hybrid cars in California.

Pavley and Angelides noted that they both own hybrid cars. Said Pavley: "If it means you only go to gas station half as often, that's a good thing."

[Brian]

Originally posted by LA Times Article
Hybrid cars appear to be gaining in popularity, said Michael Love, national regulatory affairs manager for Toyota. Buyers in California have to wait at least three months for its 2004 Prius.

Ok, who here waited 3 months for their Prius? I waited 6!!!

[whatshisname]

Looks bad for us Prius owners hoping to use the high occupancy lanes on freeways. Listening to PBS this morning there appears to be growing opposition to the idea. Legislators express the expectancy that within just a few years many vehicles will be hybrids and the lanes will be over crowded with no benifit to anyone. If we want to get the HOV lanes we're going to have to discourge people from coming over to our side. Another benefit that turned out too good to be true. Whatshisname

[Danny]

Well, then PBS & the legislators haven't bothered to read the bill then. It's only for hybrids achieving over 45 MPG. Which means that the Prius & Honda Insight & Civiv hybrid would qualify, but not the upcoming Ford Escape or Highlander or RX400h.

(I'm running on the assumption that the highlander won't get over 45 MPG - I know the 400h won't.)

[yellowhats]

The text of the bill also states that the exemption for hybrid vehicles will expire in 2008 unless further legislation is enacted to extend it, so if the HOV lanes are becoming too crowded from hybrid use (we should be so lucky to see that day), the playing field is once again leveled in 2008. Seems fair to me.

My one question is whether there should be a lower mpg requirement for SUV hybrids to encourage SUV die-hards to switch over to hybrids.... who knows maybe just the gas savings will be enough incentive for them at a time when gas is over $2 a gallon and non-hybrid SUV's get 7-12 mpg.

[TJ]

Concerning hybrid SUV's......While the bill is targeted for vehicles with 45 mpg or higher, I am more concerned with the emissions. The Prius's SULEV produces 90% less than a standard car. Are the SUV hybrids SULEVs? Does anyone know yet, what their emission levels will be?

Tom

[whatshisname]

There's nobody more hopeful than I that our hybrids utimately qualify for absolute use of the state's HOV lanes and at first it looked like that was going to happen, but now I'm not so sure. There is opposition to the idea and it wouldn't surprise me if we learn it is being generated by the mass transportation lobbyists. After all, it was their activity in the beginning that got us the HOV lanes in the first place. Notice how the buses, not always full, go speeding by while the rest of us poke along. Sure it's comforting to know our Prii aren't hurting the environment as much as the others, but we're still poking along. Perhaps striving for a different benefit might be more easily attained. Bonuses? Reduced fees or taxes? Extended removal from smog inspection schedules? You have to watch out for those lobbyists. They're tricky. Whatshisname.

[daniel]

I've commented on this before: The whole issue turns on what you figure the purpose of the HOV lanes is. If it is to get people to leave their car at home and car-pool to reduce traffic, then there is no justification for an exemption for hybrids. If it is to reduce total smog-production, then the HOV lanes should be open to the most-polluting cars, so as to get them where they're going sooner. If the HOV lanes exist only to provide an incentive for people to buy SULEV cars, it is self-defeating, because the incentive is reduced to nil once enough people have been influenced by it and there are so many SULEV cars that the HOV lanes become as congested as the regular lanes.

I always thought that the real purpose of these lanes was to get people to leave their cars at home and car-pool to reduce congestion because the freeways had turned into parking lots.

But then, I doubt the sanity of anyone who would live in California.

[Mike N]

These ultra low emission vehicles are not the most comfortable or "cushy" vehicles we could have purchased. They are however, the best way the public can demonstrate and act to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce pollution. Since that is the ultimate goal of the HOV lanes, to reduce congestion and thereby reduce pollution, it not unreasonable to ask that the owners of these small moderately uncomfortable, but fuel efficient and ultra low polluting vehicles be allowed the convenience of the HOV lanes.
It is in the bill that the HOV exemption will "sunset" in 2008. As well as having a limit of 75,000 vehicles. It is doubtfull the hybrids made this year and before plus the AT-PZEV vehicles, which there are few out there, will clog up the HOV lanes in either case, by 2008 or if all 75,000 permits are given out.
We'll just have to wait and see who has the stronger lobby. The tree huggers or the transportation authority. The tree huggers are getting pretty loud these days and Arnold is in favor of it. That's enough for me!

Mike