Hybrids to get HOV status everywhere

This is a joke post right?

 

See top stories at: http://www.epa.gov/

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Angel Flight Pilot @ May 17 2007, 12:41 PM) [snapback]444359[/snapback]</div>

Quote from the proposed regularty announcement :

"Labeling Requirements
All vehicles certified as low emission and energy-efficient must be appropriately labeled for use in HOV facilities. States are responsible for labeling the vehicles. Existing labels, such as decals or license plates, are acceptable for continued use."

 

I intrepret this a bit differently.

>"...enforced by the individual states that choose to adopt these requirements"

If I'm reading this correctly, this will be epa certification of a vehicle, not the epa telling the states that they have to allow HOV access. It will still be up to individual states to implement, or not implement, as they choose. Given the environment here in Texas, I'd imagine I'll be waiting a long time for single occupant HOV lane access in my Prius. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm not holding my breadth.

 

You would think Georgia, with Atlanta being one of the most traffic congested and polluted cities in the US, might encourage purchasing and driving a Hybrid. This state is so redneck. I bet there are more trucks and SUVs than most places. All old cars get to have free pass on tags and emissions, no matter how much they pollute.

It is funny that you pay a Gas Guzzler Tax on some vehicles when you buy them, but get no break to try to conserve energy and emissions.

People are going to need some incentives to try new technology.

 

I live in Miami. Florida currently allows hybrid vehicles (most models if not all) to drive in the HOV lanes. You must first get an HOV exempt sticker to ensure the cops don't pull you over for only having one driver. I'm not sure of the registration process, but the sticker itself looks pretty hideous. It's big and neon green and looks a bit like the transformers logo from the 80s.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Angel Flight Pilot @ May 17 2007, 12:41 PM) [snapback]444359[/snapback]</div>

The honda accord qualifies?? I thought it got something like 2mpg more than the non-hybrid version.


I don't think I agree with those SUVs on there though. It'll get really bad in carpool lanes if the do this, as it stands in California those SUVs are not allowed. The Civic & Prius are the only two IIRC (well ones still in production)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MikeSF @ May 17 2007, 05:28 PM) [snapback]444519[/snapback]</div>

Neither the epa press release or the regulatory notice on the epa site states which vehiciles are covered. The epa is providing the minimum criteria for vehicles that are included. Without some authenification I would not accept that list as correct.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Bransons @ May 17 2007, 07:04 PM) [snapback]444510[/snapback]</div>

do u got a link to a pic of the sticker id like to see it

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Bransons @ May 17 2007, 08:04 PM) [snapback]444510[/snapback]</div>

Fortunately, the NY I-495 HOV sticker isn't that bad...


https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/p...rams/clean-pass

 

the limit in California is 84,000 permits, this limit has already been reached, the stickers are posted below.



http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/decal.htm

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hschuck @ May 18 2007, 09:47 AM) [snapback]444536[/snapback]</div>

EPA does have the list...
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/ld-hwy/hov/dr...blevehicles.pdf
Accord hybrid is eligible in the area "25 percent or better in combined city/highway fuel economy".

Ken@Japan

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ May 17 2007, 07:02 PM) [snapback]444584[/snapback]</div>

good info. Thanks

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MJGreen @ May 17 2007, 07:01 PM) [snapback]444583[/snapback]</div>

Being 'stickerless' in my Prius in California, I wonder if they will change the rules now that all those other hybrids qualify? I sure hope so!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Angel Flight Pilot @ May 17 2007, 01:41 PM) [snapback]444359[/snapback]</div>

Why are the Highlander, Escape and Mariner on this list?

While they're efficient next to other SUVs, they are not even as efficient as some non-hybrid cars like the Yaris. It doesn't make sense to me to put vehicles in an HOV lane that are less efficient than a large percentage of the cars that don't have that privilage.

 

The EPA using mileage as the prime indicator seems a little off to me.
Their concern should be about the environment not how much gas a vehicle is using (yeah I know they are related!).

I think they would be better of exempting vehicles based on greenhouse gas and smog emissions rather than mileage - seems more in line with their charter/purpose.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MJGreen @ May 17 2007, 10:01 PM) [snapback]444583[/snapback]</div>

Fed laws ALWAYS supersede state laws. What the Feds say, goes. Learnt that in high school civics, 30 years ago. So if the Feds say we have to do it . . . yes, we WILL have to abide by Fed law. Get it?
That being said, here's the sick / sad part. As presently worded, with "certain percentage better than the nonhybrid" language, theoreticly, you could build a 5mpg hummer, get a 50% mileage increase by hybridizing it, so it gets 7.5mpg and now you can drive it solo in the car pool lane.
Tell me THAT kind of legislation wasn't sponsered by GM

 

This is ridiculous and will only get more ridiculous if they keep it up.

I think there should be a joint MPG / Emissions minimum requirement, rather than reward people who drive a slightly less offensive vehicle. You should have ZEV or better emissions rating (and by "better" I mean some sort of carbon scrubbing system that removes carbon from the air as you drive), and 150+mpg EPA. That way only EVs get it now, and auto makers and drivers don't get to pat themselves on the back for doing next to nothing just so they can keep their blinders on.

 

To follow up on the discussion of which vehicles will be allowed in the HOV lane, I have found the Florida DMV's list of acceptable vehicles.

2007 SATURN VUE HYBRID MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
2007 LEXUS GS 450h MIDSIZE CAR HYBRID
2007 LEXUS RX 400H MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
2007 LEXUS GS 450h MIDSIZE CAR HYBRID
2006 LEXUS GS 450h MIDSIZE CAR HYBRID
2006 LEXUS RX 400H MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
2005 LEXUS RX 400H MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
2006 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID MIDSIZE CAR HYBRID
2007 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV COMPACT CARS HYBRID
2005 FORD ESCAPE HEV COMPACT CARS HYBRID
2007 CHEVY SILVERADO FULL SIZE PICKUP HYBRID
2006 CHEVY SILVERADO FULL SIZE PICKUP HYBRID
2005 CHEVY SILVERADO FULL SIZE PICKUP HYBRID
2005 DODGE RAM FULL SIZE PICKUP HYBRID
2007 GME SIERRA FULL SIZE PICKUP HYBRID
2006 GMC SIERRA FULL SIZE PICKUP HYBRID
2005 GMC SIERRA FULL SIZE PICKUP HYBRID
2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
2007 MERCURY MARINER HYBRID MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
2006 MERCURY MARINER HYBRID MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
2005 MERCURY MARINER HYBRID MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
2007 HONDA ACCORD COMPACT CARS HYBRID
2006 HONDA ACCORD COMPACT CARS HYBRID
2005 HONDA ACCORD COMPACT CARS HYBRID
2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
2007 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID MIDSIZE CAR HYBRID
2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MIDSIZE SUV HYBRID
ALL HONDA CIVIC-HYBRID COMPACT CARS HYBRID
ALL HONDA INSIGHT COMPACT CARS HYBRID
ALL TOYOTA PRIUS COMPACT CARS HYBRID
2005 BAYTECH ASTRO 2WD CARGO SPEC PURP VEH - MINVAN - 2WD CNG

As for the concern about people hybridizing their Humvees, it seems most people who drive hummers aren't really worried about traffic or gas mileage to begin with. I doubt humvee owners will rush to get their engines upgraded just to drive in the HOV lane.