Okay, so I'm new here and I just recently found out that besides being able to drive in the carpool lane with the HOV stickers (California), you can also park in certain cities for free on parking meters (cities in many states have this law in effect)! That's great. Are there any other perks like these that I should know about?
The biggest perk is how good you feel about driving it! More seriously, there are a few places that have reserved parking for electric vehicles...some folks have stretched that to include the Prius. And don't forget about the tax credit some states have one in addition to the federal credit.
Los Angeles (not West Hollywood, Beverly Hills or Santa Monica) and somewhere in Utah. Just Google "prius free parking" for other cities. The free parking in Los Angeles lasts until Dec. 07 and might possibly turn into free parking just for people with HOV stickers during this year.
Santa Monica does allow free parking if you have the HOV sticker. There are cities in Connecticut, Michigan, Utah, California, and other states that are also allowing this privilege. I googled "hybrid free parking" and found the info from government web sites, there are too many people on hybrid chat boards that are giving out misinformation on this, it's best to go to the government source. And, yes, it does feel great just to drive this car!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jan 2 2007, 07:37 PM) [snapback]369856[/snapback]</div> While "some folks" have decided they can park their Prius in the EV spaces, this is a lot like someone with a headache "deciding" that he can park in a handicapped space, or like some guy "deciding" he can park in the pregnant mom space because 35 years ago his mom was pregnant with him. EV parking is for EVs. The Prius is not an EV. EVs need those spaces to recharge, and we should respect that. We have no more right to park in an EV space than a Hummer has.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jan 2 2007, 08:20 PM) [snapback]369869[/snapback]</div> On the other hand there is this "public parking" in Old Town Pasadena (off Colorado blvd) that has spaces marked "For EV" BUT there is no power plug of any kind to be seen :huh: .
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nicos @ Jan 2 2007, 09:32 PM) [snapback]369912[/snapback]</div> Still, the Prius is not an EV. A hummer would have as much right to park in an EV parking place as a Prius would. Though in the absence of a plug, there doesn't seem much point. But then, many laws have no point. Break the law if you feel like it. But then don't come crying if they tow your precious car away for illegal parking.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jan 2 2007, 10:30 PM) [snapback]369922[/snapback]</div> Well, to a certain extent there could be a point. With a limited range, an EV driver might not want to do very much cruising to look for a parking spot. Maybe the city officials don't want EVs running out of juice, because they had to go much farther than intended. Dave M.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mayathystle @ Jan 2 2007, 10:20 PM) [snapback]369849[/snapback]</div> You can drive in central London without having to pay the congestion charge but you have to register your car (before you go) with the London authority. The UK road tax is only £30 p.a. For ordinary cars it's £100+ or even £200+
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darwin100 @ Jan 2 2007, 09:48 PM) [snapback]369858[/snapback]</div> Parking meters are free in San Antonio for hybrids.
EasyPark gives 50% discounts on their downtown parking lots for the Prius, HCH, Insight and smart car.
