Hybrids on HOV Lanes

tbstout2 · 07-29-2006, 02:37 PM

A subject that keeps popping up in the “Letters to the Editor” section of my newspaper is regarding allowing hybrids on the HOV lanes on I95 in Northern Virginia. I personally support the HOV exemption – especially since it allows me and my carpool buddy to drive on the restricted lanes during the HOV hours.

I got tired of reading the negative letters, so I tried to compose one that would enlighten them. Below is the letter:

For those of you that categorically oppose all hybrids on the HOV lanes, I urge you to learn more about hybrids. Performance and SUV hybrids struggle to get 30 MPG and do not offer the same emissions benefit of the economy hybrids. Those cars get upwards of 60 MPG and emit a fraction of the emissions of a regular vehicle. Emissions from a Toyota Prius is 1/8 of the amount of a comparable sedan so one person in a hybrid is still better than three people in a sedan or SUV.

The argument against allowing hybrids on the HOV lanes mainly contend that the HOV lanes are getting too congested. As a commuter I know for a fact that there is no problem between Dumfries and Springfield in the morning. No doubt, there is a noticeable increase in the afternoon, but never enough to cause traffic jams.

When the HOV lanes do become too crowded, I would suggest that vehicles that have the highest emissions and the lowest MPG be the first to be removed from the “exemption” list. Those vehicles would include:

• Law enforcement vehicles that are not providing traffic and safety control
• Hybrids that get less than 40 MPG
• Motorcycles (an economy hybrid gets better MPG and emits fewer emissions than most motorcycles)
• Economy hybrids

I think it just makes sense to reward the people that are doing things that make the environment a better place for everyone. The folks that complain about hybrids just don’t know the facts. Use your energy to complain about how SUV’s, pleasure pickups and gas guzzling sport cars are causing high gas prices by creating an increased demand for petrol in the first place.

marjam · 07-29-2006, 04:10 PM

Very good letter! I don't even know if hybrids are allowed in HOV lanes in MD where I live.

CHART · 07-29-2006, 04:15 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(marjam @ Jul 29 2006, 04:10 PM) [snapback]294359[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Very good letter! I don't even know if hybrids are allowed in HOV lanes in MD where I live.
[/b]

No

they're not...

andrle@bellsouth.net · 10-06-2006, 01:23 PM

Georgia

Georgia law allows hybrids into HOV lanes, but the state bureacracy has dragged its feet in implementing it. 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.

egb6550 · 10-06-2006, 01:30 PM

I just glanced at my mileage and I've gone 8000 miles since I got my hybrid because of the HOV incentive, driving a van before that I've burned a lot less fuel.. I like the idea of great gas mileage but until I had that incentive of the HOV lane I wasn't about to change vehicles.

07-29-2006, 02:37 PM	#1
tbstout2 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 153 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	A subject that keeps popping up in the “Letters to the Editor” section of my newspaper is regarding allowing hybrids on the HOV lanes on I95 in Northern Virginia. I personally support the HOV exemption – especially since it allows me and my carpool buddy to drive on the restricted lanes during the HOV hours. I got tired of reading the negative letters, so I tried to compose one that would enlighten them. Below is the letter: For those of you that categorically oppose all hybrids on the HOV lanes, I urge you to learn more about hybrids. Performance and SUV hybrids struggle to get 30 MPG and do not offer the same emissions benefit of the economy hybrids. Those cars get upwards of 60 MPG and emit a fraction of the emissions of a regular vehicle. Emissions from a Toyota Prius is 1/8 of the amount of a comparable sedan so one person in a hybrid is still better than three people in a sedan or SUV. The argument against allowing hybrids on the HOV lanes mainly contend that the HOV lanes are getting too congested. As a commuter I know for a fact that there is no problem between Dumfries and Springfield in the morning. No doubt, there is a noticeable increase in the afternoon, but never enough to cause traffic jams. When the HOV lanes do become too crowded, I would suggest that vehicles that have the highest emissions and the lowest MPG be the first to be removed from the “exemption” list. Those vehicles would include: • Law enforcement vehicles that are not providing traffic and safety control • Hybrids that get less than 40 MPG • Motorcycles (an economy hybrid gets better MPG and emits fewer emissions than most motorcycles) • Economy hybrids I think it just makes sense to reward the people that are doing things that make the environment a better place for everyone. The folks that complain about hybrids just don’t know the facts. Use your energy to complain about how SUV’s, pleasure pickups and gas guzzling sport cars are causing high gas prices by creating an increased demand for petrol in the first place. __________________ China will own the US if we don't stop borrowing for Bush's War! 2005 Black Pkg 2 MODS: Mudguards, side door trim, stiffening plate, window tint, bumper step cover AND the wonderful DICE unit. This car looks (and sounds) sharp!

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07-29-2006, 04:10 PM	#2
marjam Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 220 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Very good letter! I don't even know if hybrids are allowed in HOV lanes in MD where I live.

10-06-2006, 01:23 PM	#4
andrle@bellsouth.net Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Georgia Georgia law allows hybrids into HOV lanes, but the state bureacracy has dragged its feet in implementing it. 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.

10-06-2006, 01:30 PM	#5
egb6550 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 28 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I just glanced at my mileage and I've gone 8000 miles since I got my hybrid because of the HOV incentive, driving a van before that I've burned a lot less fuel.. I like the idea of great gas mileage but until I had that incentive of the HOV lane I wasn't about to change vehicles.