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Only most efficient hybrids - CNG vehicles would qualify (http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/18/hov.hybrids.ap/index.html) (poll question in thread)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Prius_hov_sticker.jpgCNN - May 18, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When it comes to using car pool lanes, only the most fuel-efficient hybrids need apply.

The government proposed new criteria Thursday for certifying vehicles as clean and energy efficient -- standards for states that let hybrid drivers travel without passengers in the special lanes to avoid rush-hour traffic.

States typically restrict high occupancy vehicle, or HOV, lanes to vehicles with two or more people during designated hours.

For the driver of a hybrid to qualify for HOV lanes during peak time, hybrid vehicles would need to achieve 25 percent higher combined fuel efficiency for city and highway driving compared with similar gasoline-fueled vehicles.

Only four manufacturers -- Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Ford Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. -- make vehicles that would qualify. A limited number of natural gas vehicles built by Honda and Ford also would meet the standards.
… http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/18/hov.hybrids.ap/index.html

I'm still trying to decide what kind of answer for the poll question.

Texas does not have any hybrid HOV access, and I would not use it if it were. I would not be going as fast as the HOV flow. I tend to take the rightmost lane and weave in and out of access roads along the freeway when possible.

It seems less people carpool these days - sad to say.

To be candid - I don't know what to think about HOV lanes and if they help. If they do speed up traffic, I lean towards access to anyone with multiple passengers.

Obviously not opinionated on this issue.

Oh ho! Now the FEH can be included! I like that. Personally, all personal interest aside, I like the new rule, as that's a better incentive then just getting X MPG. Plus, that opens up the market a bit and allows for some nice incentives to owners who choose the best vehicle that meets their need.

Though, I've always thought the idea of allowing any vehicles other than HOV into the HOV lane to be a bit silly, if they want to do it that way, at least they're doing it in a manner I'd like done.

Now I wonder if the EPA will consider having a Universal Hybrid HOV sticker, so that owners in one state can use the HOV lanes in another state when they're, say, on vacation.

Also, MI is another state that doesn't have HOV lanes.

Now I wonder if the EPA will consider having a Universal Hybrid HOV sticker, so that owners in one state can use the HOV lanes in another state when they're, say, on vacation.

Good idea!

Would also like universal toll tags, but it's going off-topic.

Almost made this a poll choice - what about fuel efficient diesel vehicles in HOV lanes?

Hybrid technology is great, but just a means to an end. My view is that as long as it gets the good fuel economy, the driver of a highly efficient diesel, EV, or for that matter conventional gasoline car should have just as much HOV access as the driver of a highly efficient hybrid. And the driver of a NOT so efficient hybrid should NOT have any more access than anyone else.

I voted for choice #3 because HOV access is a good way to promote fuel economy and clean air -- even though that's not the primary purpose of HOV lanes. But I only support it as long as the bar is set high enough that the lanes don't start to pack up. A roadway's capacity actually drops as congestion goes up, so if this starts to congest the HOV lanes then it undermines the their primary goal of making the most efficient use of available roadway capacity. If that happens it'll be time to raise the bar again.

I think the HOV bonus should apply to squeaky-clean and efficient hybrids. But it should also apply to NGVs and electric cars (currently only the $100k Tessla). The fake hybrids that GM makes should not qualify.

Hi All:

___Anything over 45 combined as well as NGV’s and EV’s of course is good to me. Anything less and we are all just spinning our wheels in N going nowhere fast as the “Silent Storm” approaches.

___Good Luck

___Wayne