Hybrid Owners Eying Carpool Lanes

Possible good news for us Prius owners:

Bill would allow hybrid cars in California car pool lanes - TIM MOLLOY - Associated Press LOS ANGELES - Solo motorists driving hybrid vehicles would be allowed on California car pool lanes under a bill that received support Thursday from a coalition of elected officials and environmentalists inside. The bill would apply to hybrids that get more than 45 mpg and meet the state's strictest emission standards. Current law allows electric and some other very low emission vehicles to use the lanes, as well as carpoolers in normal vehicles, said Michele St. Martin, a spokeswoman for the California's Environmental Protection Agency, which supports the bill. "It's to recognize consumers who have already done the right thing and purchased fuel efficient and clean emitting vehicles, but also to encourage consumers to purchase more of them," said Susan Little, spokeswoman for the bill's author, Assemblywoman Fran Pavley. Those attending a news conference to support the bill were state Treasurer Phil Angelides, EPA Secretary Terry Tamminen, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Also attending was National Resources Defense Council Trustee Laurie David. The Toyota Prius, one of the hybrids that would get car pool lane privileges, gets frequent exposure on her husband Larry David's HBO television show, "Curb Your Enthusiasm." In a statement, Gov. Schwarzenegger's office said he also supports the legislation. The statement said the bill would provide an "incentive for intelligent-minded consumers who are seeking fuel-efficient and environmentally sound modes of transportation." There are now about 6,000 electric and low-emission vehicles authorized to use the lanes, St. Martin said. The bill would also open the lanes to the 20,000 hybrids currently on the state's roads, she said. The bill would allow up to 75,000 hybrids to get special passes to use the lanes, and would extend through 2008. State transportation officials would be allowed to end the privilege if the law led to too much congestion, St. Martin said. The bill, AB2628, was introduced Feb. 20.