<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Dec 1 2006, 02:44 AM) [snapback]356137[/snapback]</div> Dude, you are waaaaaaaaay off topic... this discussion is about carpool lanes..... not how to pimp out your Nissan.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hpajlp @ Nov 30 2006, 10:04 PM) [snapback]356108[/snapback]</div> OK, OK. I hear you. I'm coming at it from a different angle. Originally, the only non-HOV vehicles allowed in the HOV lanes were ZEVs. EVs and CNG vehicles. It was offered as an incentive to get people to want the cars, and to pressure the car makers to build them. Well, that didn't work out, at all, of course - for too many reasons to list here. But for those of us brave enough to continue down the ZEV vehicle path alone, and without warranty support - well, our incentives were weakend SUBSTANTIALLY by allowing gasoline-burning vehicles the same incentive that we had. Buying and operating real bleeding-edge alternative-fuel vehicles requires the driver to make some changes in routine. Learn new tricks. He must jump through many more hoops just to purchase the vehicle, and spend quite a bit more money - just to "do the right thing" in trying to jump-start a new, badly-needed industry. Operating a Prius requires nothing different (if you ignore how much trouble I have getting gasoline to pump into the tank!) than what we've done for the past 100 years. Buy car. Fill with gas. Drive. I agree that hybrids should see some incentive. I think the incentive level should start higher than the EPA numbers that are currently set, however. And I also think the incentive should be in the form of tax breaks - not in clogging up HOV lanes with single occupants, making it even less desirable to have a REAL carpool in the HOV lanes. It may interest you to know that I have actively campaigned against HOV access for both ZEVs AND hybrids. Since it is currently law, I might as well use it. But I'd rather see it NOT offered.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hpajlp @ Dec 1 2006, 10:26 AM) [snapback]356291[/snapback]</div> Sorry man. I was talking about pimping out Nissans either. I was talking about misidentified cars (i.e. 4 seater 350Z which doesn't exist). The two cars in question (G35 coupe and 350Z) are close cousins based on the same platform although they share little similarity in terms of interior. I saved a ton of time on my trip into work this morning. I had to get to work early (for me) today and was able to leave early enough to take advantage of the carpool lanes while they were restricted. I blew by all stop and go traffic on 85 north esp. the part from the 280 junction to the 237. My trip in took me ~32 mins. I'm guessing that if I didn't have the stickers, it'd have taken me at least 20-40 mins longer.
<Is the single motocyle rider consider HOV??> They are in California, and they frequently ride on the double stripe.
Do you not consider the premium ($2000 and higher) most buyers have had to pay in Southern California to be a sacrifice? And many others benefit beside the driver of the Prius... like anyone who breathes? Many benefit by encouraging more hybrid purchases, not just the driver.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Dec 1 2006, 12:09 PM) [snapback]356355[/snapback]</div> OK, EVNUT, I'm beginning to see why you got your nickname... your passion for EVs and for carpooling are like nothing I've ever seen before. Unfortunately, EVs have not been a big success (yet), whilest hybrids are going strong. You've got to strike while the iron is hot, my friend. Throw your support behind what is working, even if it is not quite as green as you want to go. I really don't see how carpool lane incentives for hybrids in any way detracts from EVs. People (like me) who never would have considered buying an EV are falling in love with the Prius. It is opening up a huge new market that never existed before. It is proving there is real demand for green technology. That's something EV's alone can't do right now. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Dec 1 2006, 12:09 PM) [snapback]356355[/snapback]</div> That's the problem with EVs: they aren't consumer-friendly. The demand for EVs has been low because there are few people out there willing to jump through those hoops for a car that is not very practical or attractive for most people. Consumers are just not ready to go there yet. Hopefully, these guys will change all of that: http://www.teslamotors.com Now THAT's an electric car I would LOVE to drive. Of course the price tag needs to come down a bit, first. Until, then I will stick with my Prius. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Dec 1 2006, 12:09 PM) [snapback]356355[/snapback]</div> Again, EVNUT, you are way ahead of yourself here. You need to set the flux-capacitor in your EV to bring you back to the year 2006. The carpool lanes are not even close to clogged up with hybrids. With a hybrid cap at 85,000 stickers I don't think there is any threat to open space in the diamond lane. Better enforcement to curtail violators and eliminating the "parental carpool" could free up even more space in the carpool lane to increase the number of hybrids to over 100,000. That will ensure continued strong sales of hybrids in CA and guarantee we will have the greeenest highways in the nation. The more money Toyota makes selling hybrids, the more they will be willing to invest back into the technology to make it better, and the more they will want to expand hybrid technology and/or EV technology down the road..
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hpajlp @ Nov 28 2006, 11:27 PM) [snapback]355143[/snapback]</div> A couple of years ago I heard a woman on the radio that wanted her unborn child to count as a passenger. This also reminds me of a one of the Simpsons. RIVIERA: everybody! BOARD: [unenthused] Dr. Nick. -- At a malpractice board hearing, CHAIRMAN: Dr. Nick, this malpractice committee has received a few complaints against you. [reads from clipboard] Of the 160 gravest charges, the most troubling are performing major operations with a knife and fork from a seafood restaurant. RIVIERA: But I cleaned them with my napkin. CHAIRMAN: Misuse of the cadavers. RIVIERA: I get here earlier when I drive in the carpool lane. I don't have the sticker because using it on my commute would add at least 24 miles each way.
