1st Gen Plug-in or a Prime?!?!

They couldn't unless a new set of stickers were issued, which isn't realistic to specifically exclude smaller capacity plug in's. Keeping track of specific models isn't realistic either. This is precisely why I believe that when the "greens" go down, they all go down. Also why the PIP is a better buy. There's too many plug in's on the way from all the brands (including Porsche!), and this is precisely the same outlook that ended the yellow stickers.

Even if a new color sticker were issued, it would guarantee that the white stickers would enjoy the same privilege.

 

This is exactly why I'm waiting. I need at least 1 car with the HOV sticker - if I buy a Prime now to replace my 2010 Prius and then the green stickers are not extended I could have put that money toward a white sticker car. My 2015 PiP is going strong but if/when the sticker dies I will trade it in for a white sticker car (NOT a Mirai). I'll put 150K on the 2010 Prius and then perhaps buy a late Gen4 or Prime (or some Ioniq flavor or Model 3). I never lease but lately with the advances in tech and safety perhaps leasing is the way to go these days. The depreciation of my 2015 PiP (and its dwindling battery capacity) is a testament to that. Perhaps leasing the Model 3 or Ioniq EV is the best option?

Toyota made an (arrogant?) mistake putting their resources behind FuelCell, in my humble opinion - they need to hop on BEV with urgency. Hell those Civic GX CNGs people picked up used for 15-20K are looking like smart buys...My friend has been driving a Honda Civic GX since 1998. He gave that one to his daughter and picked up a 2nd-gen in '05; then he picked up a 3rd-gen CNG Civic in 2011 for his wife. He's going to pick up a 2015 Civic GX so his whole family will have a white sticker (4 generations of Civic GX). He's been driving solo in the carpool lane for nearly 20 years now and each car was under 20K since he always bought used! That lifespan is longer than the yellow and green stickers combined!

 

toyota cashed in on hydrogen, cali made the mistake. there's no money in bev's.

 

Thought folks would like to know what the status of California HOV stickers are. You can track the status here:

Today's Law As Amended

Based on the various iterations of this bill, it's clear that the State is leaning toward:

1) A new set of stickers to replace the current green and white.
2) All current green and white expire 1/1/19.
3) Green and white stickers issued after 1/1/17 can reapply for the new sticker, and that new sticker would expire 1/1/22.
4) Any new stickers issued after 1/1/19 are good for a maximum of 4 years.

Here's what I infer.

The 4-year max limit guarantees that a new sticker must be issued, and that sticker must have the expiration date on it or be color coded.

Anybody who has been enjoying the HOV privilege prior to 1/1/17, well your days are numbered. Unfortunately, that includes Gen 1 owners and earliest Prime purchasers. All Gen 1 owners who got a sticker after 1/1/17 are in the same boat, but that's a rare number of owners. Since a new sticker is to be issued, it's likely the Gen 1 battery capacity is too small to qualify for this new sticker. Prime owners after 1/1/17 still aren't guaranteed anything because even its battery capacity is small compared to a Volt, but they're more likely to get in on the new sticker given the current/upcoming crop of plug-in hybrids.

The only "sure bet" (as sure as possible I suppose), is that a white sticker issued after 1/1/17 will be good until 1/1/22 using a new sticker.