Future of Hybrid Access in CA Carpool Lanes Uncertain

BACK SEAT DRIVING - August 8, 2006

One year ago, California introduced the program allowing certain hybrid vehicles into the carpool lane without a carpool. The law calls for a maximum of 75,000 decals to be issued. It appears that state officials are perhaps weeks, maybe days, away from reaching that ceiling. "The state has so far received 74,108 applications for an allotment of 75,000 decals permitting hybrid owners to drive solo in HOV lanes," reports David Pierson of the Los Angeles Times.

The solo carpool access for hybrids ends in January of 2008. Lawmakers anticipated a reevaluation of the program as the allotment of 75,000 decals reached its capacity. It is possible that the Legislature will increase the number of permits that are allowed. That possibility, however, appears less and less certain.

The law was introduced as a means to encourage Californians to purchase high gas mileage hybrid vehicles. However, with the price of gas at an all time high, consumers need even less additional incentive today to purchase hybrids. The waiting lists for the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid remain high, despite manufacturer adjustments to increase production.

Public sentiment for the hybrid access law has not been uniformly positive. The Los Angeles Times, for one, came out against the law. Even the television series South Park got into the act, with its brilliant portrayal of the hybrid backlash.

Moreover, although there appears to be little evidence that the hybrids have clogged up the carpool lanes, state officials reviewing the matter are not likely to want to wait for that to happen.

Unlike hybrid vehicles, California will likely extend the law allowing compressed natural gas vehicles to have solo access in the carpool lanes. That's because those are considered zero emissions vehicles - vehicles that have long been allowed solo access in high occupancy lanes by the Federal government. It will be interesting to see how many hybrid owners switch to CNG-powered vehicles like the Honda Civic GX once the hybrid law expires.

Once you've experienced carpool access, it's hard to go back.

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