Debate rages over whether to extend HOV-lane exemptions for hybrids in CA
Besides the potential feeling of environmental superiority, one of the great benefits to having a hybrid in California has been the availability of a magic little sticker set for a vehicle's rear bumper and fender. The "Access OK" tags have allowed its possessors to cruise in the carpool lanes even while driving solo. The special lanes – alternatively known as HOV lanes (High Occupancy Vehicle) or diamond lanes – have proven to be a great time saver on California's clogged freeway system, but not everyone can find a ride-share partner to grant them access. Thus, getting a hybrid with one of the highly prized yellow (or white) decals is like getting yourself a free passenger – without the annoying banter.
As a result of their rarity and ultility, used cars with those decals usually command a premium. Heck, we've even reported on sticker thefts. The problem is that the benefits of those stickers were originally set to run out by 2009. The government intervened and extended those limits through January 1, 2011, but some would like to see them extended further – like through 2016.
Naturally, as more people move towards more efficient vehicles, some think the program should be halted altogether, while others (especially those with stickers themselves) continue to think that hybrids and other "clean" vehicles deserve the added benefit of solo access.You can be sure that this debate will continue right up until the deadline – unless California's legislature steps in to extend the program before then.
[Sources: The Los Angeles Times; California DMV | Image: David McNew/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
judd 6:04PM (9/28/2009)
It should have included the miserly Geo Metros if it's based on mileage. May be they are racist? Oooo.
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Jake 6:05PM (9/28/2009)
I thunk that the whole purpose of HOV lanes was to alleviate traffic conjestion, not reward pious do-gooders.
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Dissident 6:09PM (9/28/2009)
Is it, but if the lanes have the capacity to handle the hybrids in addition to their normal load without any noticeable congestion, then allowing those select vehicles to also use them further reduces both congestion (in the normal lanes) as well as reducing emissions, so why not? If the lanes are already clogged by carpoolers (they're usually not, least in SD. Maybe they are in LA?) , then the answer should be no. Simple.
John Graham 6:51PM (9/28/2009)
This is in regards to Dissident's comment:
Don't hybrid vehicles turn off their engine's when they are stopped and use the gas motors to accelerate and drive? Wouldn't it be better to let the Prius's (sp?), Prii?, hybrids sit in traffic as that would reduce emissions, while the regular cars keep driving in order to keep emissions lower as the regular gas cars would not be idling? Why not let everyone but the hybrids use the HOV lane if the lane keeps moving.
zamafir 7:17PM (9/28/2009)
thanks jake, lets take those stickers away and give them to the TDIs. hell, if u take the most economical hybrid ever sold in the us and just drop a diesel engine in it, the highway MPG jumps another 20 mpg, 20! what a crock.
the4thheat 8:47PM (9/28/2009)
And the reason for alleviating traffic congestion was also to reduce pollution by getting more people to carpool. Otherwise you could also just build ever more lanes.
Of course I do think this use of the HOV privileges isn't really the right way to go about things although it obviously has cut down on emissions.
akboss302 9:05AM (9/29/2009)
Re:the4thheat
+1 and good comment. HOV is not purely about emissions, it's about getting more people into the cars on our roads which as a result reduces individual consumption/pollution as well as road damage, congestion, etc. A V8 Suburban full of people is much more efficient than 7 people in hybrids. Keep the HOV for its intended use, hybrid drivers are already getting incentives.
Steve 8:26PM (9/30/2009)
No, purpose of HOV lanes is to reward self-righteous 'greenies'. If they wanted to reduce traffic, the HOV lanes wouldn't exist, they would all be regular lanes.
James 6:13PM (9/28/2009)
I've get a better idea... get rid of the goddamned HOV lanes all together. Otherwise, only pay to maintain and build them via money from people actually paying for a part of the road noone else (soon enough if the Bay Area has its way) will be able to use.
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Polly Prissy Pants 6:54PM (9/28/2009)
You can't get rid of them. You see, the long term plan (down where I am anyway) is to turn all HOV lanes into toll lanes, thus extorting more hidden taxes from the general public without having to submit anything to a vote. The politicians here publicly admit as much. It's all part of a slow, gradual plan to turn most lanes of our public highway system into toll generating lanes, at least in the city. The only reason they started with these stupid HOV lanes was because you have to do something like this very gradually or else everyone will revolt. This way we gradually get used to not being able to use the lanes, then having to pay to use the lanes, then having to pay to use most lanes. Then maybe paying to use all lanes during certain times of the day? Who knows.
It's an extension of the propaganda that says "Tollways are great because it's a usage tax and we can do oh so much more if we have tolls rather than having to rely on public highway funds." Lots of people here are stupid enough to buy it too so you really have to wonder who's truly at fault.
Anyway, never try to apply logic to these types of things because it'll never make sense. Just keep repeating: "It's always about money" ... "It's always about money"...
Chris 7:05PM (9/28/2009)
In Colorado, you can already pay to use the HOV lanes.
sw 8:37AM (9/29/2009)
I am glad I live in Canada, there's a completely separate toll highway (the 407) so you don't have to keep stopping to feed coins to a machine. Even on highway 407 they mail you the bill by either taking a picture of your license plate or tagging your transponder.
tomguptill 10:43AM (9/29/2009)
In SD you can put your money where your mouth is - the I15 express lanes are free for HOVs, or you can pay to use them if you're driving by yourself.
HotRodzNKustoms 6:17PM (9/28/2009)
The HOV lanes in California are clogged enough as it is and I am tired of being stuck behind that arrogant @$$ in the black 2nd gen Prius with the license plate "HOV I B" driving 55mph while I am in a hurry to go somewhere else other than a smug convention.
Besides it was an incentive to get people to accept hybrids. At over 100k units a year I think they're accepted.
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anon 6:19PM (9/28/2009)
Why would they extend the HOV Exemption when they're discussing having people pay to use the HOV lane? Especially given the sorry state of affairs of California, I think they're more inclined to let the exemption expire and start charging people to use the lane without carpool.
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The Red Monkey 6:23PM (9/28/2009)
Kill the exemption. Its uneven. You can have a diesel that gets twice the mileage but not get an exemption, its idiotic.
naggs 6:54PM (9/28/2009)
the whole point of the law was to help out a potential new technology that couldn't justify its cost just yet
that time is gone, kill it, its a strange and kinda random use of the HOV lanes
Scott 6:22PM (9/28/2009)
yes, they should stop the program. it has got to the point where the HOV lanes are filled with magic sticker cars. and are not any better for people for people who use them as they were intended.
I work from home most days, but this is just silly. now they are just rewarding people who bought the car first, and not everyone else.
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Shawn808 6:26PM (9/28/2009)
I think that 1.6L red miata in the pic has better gas millage and less parts to recycle (no non recyclable batteries) then any hybrid and in the end is probably better for the environment.
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protomech 6:49PM (9/28/2009)
My friend's 1990 1.6L gets about 22-24 mpg average, though it's in pretty bad need of a tune up. Rated 24 mpg combined under the 2008 EPA rating scheme, for what it's worth.
It might not be a 1.6L - they made a 1.8L version in the US from 1994-1997. I desperately want a roller for a project..