A Bill to Allow CA Hybrid HOV Sticker Owners to Upgrade

The Problem

With all 85,000 single-occupancy California HOV access stickers for certain hybrid vehicles depleted, current holders of the sticker have no incentive to upgrade to higher efficiency hybrid vehicles introduced into the market between now and 2011 (e.g., the anticipated new Honda hybrid sedan, Honda Fit Hybrid, third-generation Prius, etc.). Consequently, there will be 85,000 vehicles traveling the HOV lanes through January 1, 2011 that are frozen in 2004 (and earlier) technology.

The Proposal

Allow current holders of HOV access stickers to turn in their stickers for new stickers if they purchase (EPA-rated) higher efficiency hybrid vehicles.

The Effect

It’s twofold: (1) It insures that the latest and most efficient hybrids have access to the HOV lanes through January 1, 2011; (2) As sticker holders take advantage of the new law, it’ll bring thousands of non-stickered, used hybrids into the market – thereby increasing the availability and affordability of hybrid vehicles to lower income families.

The beauty of this proposal is that it will not increase the allotment of stickers beyond the current 85,000, and it will not extend the access beyond the current expiration date of January 1, 2011.

California Assembly member Ted Lieu, author of the bill that increased the original hybrid HOV access sticker allotment to 85,000 and extended the expiration date to January 1, 2001, has indicated he will keep the proposal in mind for future legislation. It'll probably take a few letters and emails to elevate the proposal for more serious consideration.

Article (and link to contact Assembly member Ted Lieu):
http://lacar.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=909#bsd1