Originally published August 9 2005
Hybrid car drivers allowed to drive alone in car pool lanes
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
California passed a law recently allowing owners of more fuel-efficient cars to drive in car pool lanes without other passengers in the car.
Hybrid car owners are fast approaching the day when they will be allowed to drive solo in California's car pool lanes.
State lawmakers passed a bill last year that gave some types of the high-mileage, low-emission vehicles access to the coveted lanes --- a privilege meant to encourage drivers to buy the environmentally friendly cars.
California's law was supposed to take effect Jan. 1 but first needed approval from the federal government.
That permission was tucked into a $286 billion transportation bill Congress passed last week, meaning there is just one last strand of red tape keeping hybrids out of the high-occupancy vehicle lanes: State air regulators need to clarify which vehicles meet the mileage and emissions standards.
The policy's supporters hope hybrids will be allowed in the car pool lanes by year's end.
Only two other models --- Honda's hybrid Civic and Insight --- meet the eligibility standards of at least 45 miles per gallon and almost no smog-causing emissions, according to an aide to the author of California's bill, Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, a Democrat.
California Air Resources Board attorneys are reviewing the bills to determine officially what vehicles will qualify, said spokeswoman Gennet Paauwe.
Virginia enacted the change in 2000, and Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia and Minnesota are considering it.
In Virginia, some drivers complain that opening the door to hybrids has led to a crush of cars and slowed once-speedy commutes.
The American Lung Association of California advocates hybrids but took no stand on the car pool bill for fear it might cut car pooling and lead to more pollution.
"We were not convinced that this incentive was needed and we were concerned about the potential to slow traffic in HOV lanes and discourage people from car pooling," spokeswoman Bonnie Holmes-Gen said.
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