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Prius in AZ HOV Lanes ?

Discussion in 'Local Prius Club Main Forum' started by ~sparky~, Jan 2, 2006.

  1. ~sparky~

    ~sparky~ New Member

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    anyone hearing anything from the MVD about issuing stickers / plates to allow us to use HOV lane as single drivers? they were waiting for the EPA to issue the ruling... just not sure if that's happened yet (?)
     
  2. notsure

    notsure New Member

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    Here are the rules, hybirds can get the hov plates / sticker for arizona

    http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocumen...=28&DocType=ARS
     
  3. NightRider

    NightRider New Member

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    Hey Thanks notsure.

    I wonder what it looks like? Anyone have one that can post a pic?
    I searched the MVD website but could not find a picture of it. I hope
    it is good looking. I myself prefer the old red AZ plates over the new
    standard desert view version.
     
  4. notsure

    notsure New Member

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    When I get my car next weekend (in vegas) I am going to go to the DMV next week and request the alt fuel tags, will let you know if I am successful. I am also going to take a copy of the regs with me.

    According to the data we should be able to get them.
     
  5. ~sparky~

    ~sparky~ New Member

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    despite the law quoted in your post, our mvd does NOT currently issue any special AF or hybrid plates to prius owners. there's lots of history here, but bottom line - they are waiting for the EPA - i just wasn't sure if that had happened yet or not...

    we are still in a holding pattern for at least another month or two...

    but the governor's statements at the state-of-the-state yesterday bodes well for us - something about lower vehicle license tax for vehicles that conserve... :)
     
  6. notsure

    notsure New Member

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    Thanks
    At least they are looking into it.

    AZ has always been a little slow at things
     
  7. phxprius

    phxprius Junior Member

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    sparky, what was your source on the "waiting EPA" comment. I have not found anyone to say anything straight yet.
     
  8. notsure

    notsure New Member

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    According to the DMV (ysterday) we will be getting stickers to put on the car, but they have not been designed yet. No alt fuel plates since it is not a true alt fuel vehicle per DMV dude.

    But the SUV's get them
     
  9. phxprius

    phxprius Junior Member

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    Can they drag this out any longer!!! I am not sure the rocket science in creating/designing a sticker, but I'll give them a design "Hybrid AVF". This is insane...California had it done and ready to go as soon as the law went into effect.

    :lol:
     
  10. ~sparky~

    ~sparky~ New Member

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    i got a letter back from adot/mvd executives - saying they were waiting for the epa designation on what qualifies as low-emission, fuel-efficient vehicle. this is consistent w/ the language in the transportation bill that president (newkuler) bush signed - he gave the epa 180 days from bill signing to issue a ruling... i have an email into the epa on that one as well.

    ... waiting ever so patiently ...

    ... thinking about trading for an acura tl or tsx if this doesn't come thru ...
     
  11. phxprius

    phxprius Junior Member

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    Thanks for keeping up with this...please post anything you find out.

    ...waiting not so patiently...
     
  12. phxprius

    phxprius Junior Member

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    Just received this from DMV the other day:


    From: <[email protected]> Sent: Wed Feb 8 12:02


    Subject: RE: Hybrid / AFV Plates Type: Embeded HTML/Text


    The Federal energy bill approval included a very complicated formula regarding traffic flow. We do not yet have an anticipated implementation date. The rule promulgation process will determine if HOV lane usage by qualified hybrids will be by the issuance of AltFuel plates or by permit. Administrative Rules require public hearings, and approval by the Governor's Regulatory Review Council. Thank you. drp
     
  13. letter faxing to MVD on monday... will advise when i get a response...

    -----------------------

    Thank you for your letter dated August 26, 2005 responding to my earlier correspondence to you and Victor Mendez regarding hybrid vehicles in HOV lanes. Copies of these letters are attached for your reference.

    In your letter, you indicated that ADOT was waiting for the EPA to develop and publish rules determining which hybrid vehicles qualify as low-emission and energy-efficient, in order for ADOT to move forward and implement the existing Arizona law allowing issuance of special plates / stickers to hybrid vehicles for use of Arizona HOV lanes regardless of occupancy.

    SAFETEA required the EPA to publish these rules within 180 days, and it has been well over 180 days since the President signed this bill on August 10, 2005.

    Has ADOT secured this information from the EPA? Are you moving ahead to implement the State law?

    I would appreciate your response from your office. Thank you.

    Sincerely,

    (me)
    [/COLOR
    ]
     
  14. ~sparky~

    ~sparky~ New Member

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    chose email instead of a letter... sent just now... will post when i get a response.

    B)
    ----------------------------------

    February 25, 2006

    Ms. Stacey K Stanton, Director
    Motor Vehicle Division
    Arizona Department of Transportation

    Dear Ms. Stanton:

    Thank you for your letter dated August 26, 2005 responding to my earlier correspondence to you and Victor Mendez regarding hybrid vehicles in Arizona HOV lanes. I have pasted the text of my prior letter to Director Mendez below for your reference.

    In your letter, you indicated that ADOT was waiting for the EPA to develop and publish rules determining which hybrid vehicles qualify as low-emission and energy-efficient, in order for ADOT to move forward and implement the existing Arizona law allowing issuance of special plates / stickers to hybrid vehicles for use of Arizona HOV lanes regardless of occupancy.

    SAFETEA required the EPA to publish these rules within 180 days, and it has been well over 180 days since the President signed this bill on August 10, 2005.

    Has ADOT secured this information from the EPA? Are you moving ahead to implement the State law?

    I would appreciate your response from your office by Monday, March 6. Thank you.

    Sincerely,

    (me)

    c: Gail Lewis, Governor's Transportation Policy Advisor
    Victor Mendez, ADOT Director


    ----------------------------------------------

    August 25, 2005

    Mr. Victor Mendez, Director
    Arizona Department of Transportation

    Dear Mr. Mendez:

    I am writing regarding gas-electric hybrid vehicles and the use of our state’s HOV lanes. I have written your MVD Director Stacey Stanton two letters on this issue, called her office several times, written several emails to the MVD general mailbox, and spoken with several MVD employees, yet I have received no response whatsoever from your MVD.

    Here’s my issue: Arizona has a state law in place allowing hybrid vehicles to use the HOV lanes regardless of occupancy by displaying the required plates / stickers, as long as the federal government approves. The federal government has approved – by adopting the $286 billion federal transportation bill, which congress approved and the President signed on August 10. The bill contains provisions allowing states to set policy for use of the HOV lanes, specifically encouraging states to allow single-occupant hybrid vehicles into carpool lanes:

    “It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary and the States should provide additional incentives (including the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes on State and Interstate highways) for the purchase and use of hybrid and other fuel efficient vehicles, which have been proven to minimize air emissions and decrease consumption of fossil fuels.†The only missing piece between Arizona hybrid owners and their AF plates / stickers is a formal MVD policy in the hands of your employees in the MVD offices. When I spoke with MVD employees, they indicated that they clearly understand what has happened, but they said they have not yet been provided with a policy reflecting current law that allows them to issue these plates or stickers to owners of qualifying hybrid vehicles. They suggested that I write to Director Stacey Stanton on this issue, which I have done… yet I have received no response after a month of attempts.

    Our neighbors in California have implemented their process to issue stickers to owners of hybrid vehicles and hybrid owners have even begun receiving their stickers, yet California’s state law is much more restrictive than ours (the California law contains mileage and emissions thresholds that hybrids must meet to qualify, whereas Arizona law has no such provisions).

    Meanwhile, workers at Arizona’s MVD are still unable to issue plates or stickers – as allowed by both federal and Arizona state law – only because they have no administrative policy in place.

    I hope to hear from you or your staff within one week. I have no interest in escalating this issue further, but don’t really have a choice absent a response of some kind. For your reference, I am attaching my prior letters to MVD Director Stanton, along with copies of Arizona State Statutes § 28-737 and § 28-2416.

    Sincerely,

    (me)

    c: David Jankofsky, ADOT Deputy Dir. – [email protected]
    John Bogert, ADOT Chief of Staff – [email protected]
    Stacey Stanton, MVD Director – [email protected]
     
  15. notsure

    notsure New Member

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    I think we (Arizonians) should all create a letter similar to the above and start emailing them to the above personel.

    More than one voice holds more weight.
     
  16. HybridVigor

    HybridVigor New Member

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    Interesting. When I was chasing this tiger last summer, they swore that I would get notified about AZ's plans when the EPA 180 days ended. I've heard zero on the subject. I guess its time for me to get back in the "pester Stacey Stanton" game too. Sigh.
    The irony is that in the end, I may not even end up using the HOV lanes much because I've become addicted to the higher mileage I can get on the surface streets. Its more the principle at this point since I'm annoyed at the AZ administration.
     
  17. ~sparky~

    ~sparky~ New Member

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    got a call back from ADOT today. ADOT is still waiting on the EPA to issue the ruling, and are following up with them on a regular basis. after they get the EPA ruling, they will likely need to modify the state legislation to allow hybrids into the hov lanes, which will likely be next legislative session, which starts in january... so it will likely be 2007 before we get plates or stickers.

    not good news. :angry:
     
  18. phxprius

    phxprius Junior Member

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    That sucks...I can't believe we need a year to do what CA did in a matter of weeks.

    :angry:
     
  19. HybridVigor

    HybridVigor New Member

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    Yeah, ya know, its frustrating that Arizona can't see its way clear to offer any kind of hybrid incentives at all. By the time they get around to it, the incentives won't be necessary anymore to encourage technology growth. Ah, what do I care... I'm expecting to move out of this oven-pit before November, probably. I'll enjoy my 60 mpg commutes while I can before I start becoming subject to the cold-effect that everyone else in the country seems to get hit by. Perhaps thats the one aspect of AZ which is hybrid friendly that goes unnoticed: The potential for better than advertised mileage?
     
  20. phxprius

    phxprius Junior Member

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    I followed a white Prius with the blue AFV plates yesterday. It was "AS76F3" expiring JAN 07. If anyone has the resourses to investigate how this was accompished, I would love to know...