Schwarzenagger signs bill allowing hybrids in carpool lanes

Schwarzenagger signs bill allowing hybrids in carpool lanes

SACRAMENTO - Rebuffing lobbying by the chairman of the Ford Motor Co., Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Thursday that will let thousands of single-occupant hybrid vehicles use carpool lanes, which supporters hope will prompt more consumers to buy the fuel-efficient, low-emission cars.

"This bill is great for California," said the measure's author, Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills. "It eases our commutes. It saves us money at the pump, reduces our dependency on foreign oil and cleans our air at the same time."

The bill allows up to 75,000 hybrids to obtain decals from the state to use carpool lanes without having to have the minimum number of two or three occupants. Certain other advanced-technology vehicles could also qualify for the program.

To obtain the decals, the vehicles would have to get at least 45 miles per gallon and meet tough emission standards.

The new law is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, but it also needs federal approval to be implemented because federal funds help pay for carpool lanes. A bill pending in Congress would grant that approval.

Pavley's legislation will expire in 2008 unless extended by lawmakers.

Opponents complained that the legislation would lead to congested carpool lanes and undercut the purpose of the lanes, which is to reduce overall traffic.

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