Hybrids in HOV Lanes a Pandora's Box

Provisions that would give over High Occupancy Vehicle lanes to Hybrid vehicles could send a "bogus message" to consumers.

1 minute read

June 16, 2005, 9:00 AM PDT

By Michael Dudley


"Congress is looking at the HOV issue because, technically, states that allow hybrids to drive in HOV lanes are in violation of federal law. However, H.R.3 would provide waivers for certain vehicles, if signed into law...In the end, the Senate provision would open HOV lanes to vehicles that achieve at least a 50 percent increase in fuel economy in the city or a 25 percent increase in fuel economy in combined city-highway miles over the non-hybrid model, regardless of the number of passengers. This is better than the '10 percent solution', but still opens up a Pandora's box of potential abuses."

Thanks to Michael Dudley

Wednesday, June 15, 2005 in Working for Change

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