Hybrids may loose VA HOV Exemption Sooner than Later

I live in Springfield,VA and use the HOV lanes. Someone needs to form "Northern VA Hybrid Owners' Association" to protect our interest. It would have to include the other hybrid makes. A web site is the vehicle to get the job done. I'm too computer challenged to do it. I'm willing to help. Where's our leader?

 

I think that instead of making HOV lanes open to all hybrids, they should be open to SULEV vehicles or better. Making them open to all hybrids would quickly get ridiculous.

There's nothing stopping GM from making Hummer hybrid, which gets 11 miles per gallon instead of 8 and still puts out monstrous amounts of emissions. And it would be qualified for HOV lane access in places that allow it based on hybrid status. The increase in HOV lane use due to such vehicles would force governments to withdraw it from hybrids with solo occupants, which might be the sort thing happening in Virginia (don't know the specifics there).

EDIT: Thought I should add that SULEV stands for "Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle". There are very few models available that meet the criteria. The Prius is one. Most other vehicles (including most hybrids) don't make the cut.

 

kidtwist, I believe the only vehicles allowed for HOV exemption status in VA right now are the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Toyota Prius (thereby excluding the Accord and Escape hybrids).

Live in Springfield, have the HOV exempt license plate, but never use it or have a need for it - just wanted to have it because a) I could, and B) in a rare case that I'd be in the situation to take advantage of it and use it (which hasn't happened yet after a full year).

-m.

 

I can't speak about the Escape hybrid, but I have already seen one Accord hybrid with the Clean Special Fuel plates on the road. So it would appear that the Accord hybrid is in the "in" group as well.

 

Sorry, I stand corrected. I do believe though that I am correct in not allowing the Escape on the HOV's, right?

-m.

 

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Well, then I wonder what the criteria is. The accord hybrid is not an SULEV vehicle.