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Tougher New Rules for Hybrid in Carpool lanes?; Just upgrading to our Calif standards
Topic Started: May 18 2007, 10:17 AM (124 Views)
kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/18/hov.hybrids.ap/index.html

EPA rules would bar some hybrids from HOV lanes
POSTED: 4:41 a.m. EDT, May 18, 2007

Story Highlights• To qualify, hybrids would need 25 percent higher fuel efficiency than other autos
• Only four manufacturers make vehicles that would qualify for new standard
• Most states require vehicles in HOV lanes to carry two or more occupants

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When it comes to using car pool lanes, only the most fuel-efficient hybrids need apply.

The government proposed new criteria Thursday for certifying vehicles as clean and energy efficient -- standards for states that let hybrid drivers travel without passengers in the special lanes to avoid rush-hour traffic.

States typically restrict high occupancy vehicle, or HOV, lanes to vehicles with two or more people during designated hours.

For the driver of a hybrid to qualify for HOV lanes during peak time, hybrid vehicles would need to achieve 25 percent higher combined fuel efficiency for city and highway driving compared with similar gasoline-fueled vehicles.

Only four manufacturers -- Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Ford Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. -- make vehicles that would qualify. A limited number of natural gas vehicles built by Honda and Ford also would meet the standards.

The qualifying vehicles include: the 2004-07 Toyota Prius, 2006-07 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2006-07 Lexus RX400h, 2006 Mazda Tribute Hybrid, 2005-07 Ford Escape Hybrid, 2006-07 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, 2003-07 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2003-06 Honda Insight and 2005 and 2007 models of the Honda Accord Hybrid.

Natural gas versions of the 2003-05 Honda Civic and 2003-2004 Ford Crown Victoria would apply, too.

Some of the vehicles that would not qualify include the luxury Lexus GS450h Hybrid, DaimlerChrysler AG's Dodge Ram Hybrid and General Motors Corp.'s Saturn Vue Greenline Hybrid.

Auto industry officials were reviewing the proposal and declined immediate comment.

The proposal seeks to balance the government's interest in promoting the fuel-efficient vehicles with concerns that an influx of hybrids could clog up car pool lanes in congested cities.

Most states require vehicles in HOV lanes to carry two or more occupants. The federal highway bill signed in 2005 allowed an exemption for fuel efficient vehicles carrying only the driver. The new criteria were developed for the Transportation Department, which administers HOV programs.

States that allow solo hybrid drivers in car pool lanes include Arizona, California, Florida, Utah and Virginia, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Lawmakers in Georgia and Colorado have approved similar plans, and the vehicles can also be used in HOV lanes on a highway on New York's Long Island, said Scott Nathanson, national field director for the UCS's clean vehicles program.

The EPA measure allows states to choose stricter rules. California, which has an estimated 140,000 hybrid registrations, requires the vehicles to get 45 mpg to use HOV lanes.

Nathanson said the proposal would encourage the "best and the brightest" of the hybrid choices instead of "allowing muscle hybrids or hybrids that are not really using the technology to push the envelope."

Hybrids also could qualify as energy-efficient by achieving 50 percent or better in-city fuel economy. Dedicated alternative fuel vehicles could qualify, too, to use the lanes.

To be considered low emission, the EPA said the vehicles would need to meet federal and California emissions standards.

Scott Stapf, executive director of the Hybrid Owners of America, said 37 states have the hybrid HOV provisions or are studying the concept.

"This is a pretty hot topic at the state level," Stapf said. "Hopefully this will help."
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musicasacra
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HOLY CARP!!!
Quote:
 
The qualifying vehicles include: the 2004-07 Toyota Prius, 2006-07 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2006-07 Lexus RX400h, 2006 Mazda Tribute Hybrid, 2005-07 Ford Escape Hybrid, 2006-07 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, 2003-07 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2003-06 Honda Insight and 2005 and 2007 models of the Honda Accord Hybrid.


Interesting, because my state excludes the Ford Escape Hybrid (which I drive) from using the HOV lane -- the jerks! :mad2: :veryangry:
I've only seen the Prius and Accord hybrids in the HOV lane here. Their approval for using the HOV lane is designated by state-issued special license plates.
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
musicasacra
May 18 2007, 10:33 AM
Quote:
 
The qualifying vehicles include: the 2004-07 Toyota Prius, 2006-07 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2006-07 Lexus RX400h, 2006 Mazda Tribute Hybrid, 2005-07 Ford Escape Hybrid, 2006-07 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, 2003-07 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2003-06 Honda Insight and 2005 and 2007 models of the Honda Accord Hybrid.


Interesting, because my state excludes the Ford Escape Hybrid (which I drive) from using the HOV lane -- the jerks! :mad2: :veryangry:
I've only seen the Prius and Accord hybrids in the HOV lane here. Their approval for using the HOV lane is designated by state-issued special license plates.

You guys get special plates, not stickers?

Don't people steal the plates?
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The 89th Key
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I get the point of it, but I still find it funny that the cars worse for the environment are forced to stay on the road longer! :lol:
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musicasacra
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HOLY CARP!!!
kenny
May 18 2007, 11:37 AM
musicasacra
May 18 2007, 10:33 AM
Quote:
 
The qualifying vehicles include: the 2004-07 Toyota Prius, 2006-07 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2006-07 Lexus RX400h, 2006 Mazda Tribute Hybrid, 2005-07 Ford Escape Hybrid, 2006-07 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, 2003-07 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2003-06 Honda Insight and 2005 and 2007 models of the Honda Accord Hybrid.


Interesting, because my state excludes the Ford Escape Hybrid (which I drive) from using the HOV lane -- the jerks! :mad2: :veryangry:
I've only seen the Prius and Accord hybrids in the HOV lane here. Their approval for using the HOV lane is designated by state-issued special license plates.

You guys get special plates, not stickers?

Don't people steal the plates?

yes, they issue special license plates for qualifying hybrids (only a couple of them!) and natural gas, electric, etc. cars.
i don't think the traffic is so bad that people steal them. besides, one of those plates on a Hummer would look suspicious to Highway Patrol. :lol:
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
The 89th Key
May 18 2007, 10:39 AM
I get the point of it, but I still find it funny that the cars worse for the environment are forced to stay on the road longer! :lol:

That would give incentives to buy those more-harmful vehicles? :tsktsk:
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The 89th Key
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I'm not saying low-MPG cars should be allowed in HOV, I think only HOV vehicles should be allowed in HOV lanes.
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
The 89th Key
May 18 2007, 12:19 PM
I'm not saying low-MPG cars should be allowed in HOV, I think only HOV vehicles should be allowed in HOV lanes.


Those carrots (HOV lanes) can serve two purposes.


California has the worst air quality in the nation.
We also have some of the worst traffic in the nation.

Those carpool stickers are a powerful incentive to buy a cleaner car and get the auto makers to stop making high-pollution gas pigs.
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The 89th Key
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BFD - if you aren't in a HOV, you shouldn't be in a HOV lane! :cool:
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
The 89th Key
May 18 2007, 12:42 PM
BFD - if you aren't in a HOV, you shouldn't be in a HOV lane! :cool:

Unless you are smug and superior in every way, and your chit don't stink. :angel: :silly:
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The 89th Key
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:biggrin:

Have a good weekend, my purple upside-down triangle buddy!
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
Thanks, you too.

Axtremus is coming over to the house in two hours.
He plays piano VERY well!

Can't wait.
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