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Interesting... A Prius Liftback with HOV sticker.

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by plchung, Aug 11, 2013.

  1. plchung

    plchung Junior Member

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    A few days ago, I saw a Prius with green HOV sticker on hwy 605. But wait a min, it has red ribbon light at the tail and no charging port! I am wondering how this driver managed to get a prius liftback with HOV sticker. Can one's PIP got totaled and carries over the sticker with a replacement Prius liftback?

    IMG_3499 copy.jpg
     
  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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  3. plchung

    plchung Junior Member

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    in CA, only PHEVs qualify for HOV sticker... There are too many hybrid cars around.
    If I live in NY, maybe I would just get Prius liftback since there is no need to pay the premium to get on carpool lane.


     
  4. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

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    PHEV conversion?


    iPad ? HD
     
  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Spouse working for the DMV? :)
     
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  6. plchung

    plchung Junior Member

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    I think it's much harder work to buy a new Prius liftback and covert it to PHEV than just buying a PIP. Maybe it costs more to do so?
    This prius seems to be a Persona series. It has a Persona badge under the Prius sign... but it still does not qualify for green sticker.


     
  7. shiranpuri

    shiranpuri Junior Member

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    Conversion packs probably make it *relatively* simple, not that it'd ever be as simple as getting it "built-in".

    Considering how much incentives can bring it down though, quite likely would cost more... Then again, that's probably not be the main/only factor for people going out of their way to run on grid electricity in their regular prius, or those that even expand the PIP's range.
     
  8. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Maybe the driver has one of each? Got four stickers and put two on the PiP and two on the hatchback. Perhaps one of these days a sharp-eyed CHP officer will hit him with a significant ticket- HOV violation plus fraudulent use of the stickers. :cool:
    Another obvious difference to those who know is the lack of the chrome trim piece across the rear. But a cop would probably know about the charging door if nothing else, such as the different wheels and taillights.
    BTW, I think I read somewhere a comment by someone at the California Air Resources Board that they have a policy of reporting to the DMV any vehicle with HOV stickers for which it isn't qualified, so that the stickers can be recalled. Not sure if that means they get the sticker number or just the license plate. A report to the DMV would rain on that guy's parade, for sure. I don't think aftermarket conversions qualify- at least I haven't seen any on the list of qualifying plug-in hybrid vehicles.
     
  9. srzbae

    srzbae Junior Member

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    Maybe a pre-production PIP with the charging door on the front left ?
     
  10. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    Don't remember any of them in that color scheme.
     
  11. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    The only Prius model that qualifies for the carpool lane is the plug in model. I don't think CHP will notice the subtle differences. The decals were obtained fraudulently.
     
  12. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

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    I remember seeing so many cars that were not hybrids driving around with the yellow stickers from 2006-2010. You would see total junkers driving around with yellow stickers. I think CHP caught on and thus the need for a plate # before registering for the decals. That said, I've seen many Volts in the area driving around with stickers and dealer plates.. Some dealer must be bypassing this in some way or getting plate # at purchase?
     
  13. Adam Leibovitch

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    Its only got 1 sticker that you can see. Wild guess...His buddy owns a PIP/Volt and felt the sticker on the front bumper was ugly and unnecessary, so he sold it to his buddy to use at his own risk.
     
  14. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Looks to me like there could be a small one very low on the right fender, possibly on the plastic molding at the bottom. The one on the rear appears to be one of the larger stickers. I drive the 605 fwy fairly often, so I'll keep an eye out for him.
     
  15. Adam Leibovitch

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    I thought the spot on the fender was a reflection. Looks to small to be a CA HOV sticker. Maybe its one of those little terra pass stickers, I love those.
     
  16. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :)Oh WOW. HOV sticker drama. Busting one of "our own kind". Well sorta. Impersonating a HOV PIP is serious stuff.
     
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  17. plchung

    plchung Junior Member

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    Here is the enlarged picture. This prius indeed has 2 green stickers on the rear bumper. I don't know about the front bumper from the angle I was looking at.

     

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  18. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

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    Email the image to the DMV department that handles green stickers with the plate on the image. They will get a nice little fine letter in the mail. LOL
     
  19. plchung

    plchung Junior Member

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    Haha, I could if I want to. But should I be so harsh on "one of our own kind" (- 1-'s quote) ? I may do it if that is a Honda Accord. :) Hope this prius liftback driver knows that there are many eyes on the road, and he can remove those stickers himself.

     
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  20. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    It's....Darth Prius :eek: