Assemblymember Fran Pavley announced legislation she is introducing to allow fuel-efficient gas-electric hybrid vehicles to use the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on the state’s freeways. If the bill passes, hybrid owners would get a special decal from the DMV to indicate they have permission to use the carpool lanes, even if there is only one person in the car. Pavley, who was named chairwoman of a newly created Select Committee on Hydrogen and Other Alternative Fuels last month, introduced the legislation, Assembly Bill 2628, at a press conference at the Skirball Center last Thursday. Pavley, a second-term Democrat whose focus is on the environment and education, spoke in support of the bill, along with Terry Tamminen, the secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, California State Treasurer Phil Angelides, and Palisadian Laurie David (the wife of comedian/writer Larry David), a trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Assembly Transportation Committee held a hearing on the bill on Monday, when it received 11 out of 12 votes. The next step is a hearing in front of the Appropriations Committee. The bill’s supporters, including Governor Schwarzenegger and the State Treasurer, feel it could result in cleaner air and a reduction in energy dependence and greenhouse gases. ‘Diamond lanes for hybrids are a small but sweet reward for an intelligent choice,’ said David, who drives a 2004 Prius hybrid. ‘Diamonds can now be a hybrid’s best friend.’ Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metropolitan Transportation Authority board chair Zev Yaroslavsky also spoke in favor of the bill, explaining that there is capacity available in the diamond lanes. ‘This won’t materially impact the diamond-lane incentive for others,’ he said. Currently, to have access to the diamond lanes, vehicles must be carrying two (or sometimes three) people, be an electric or compressed natural gas vehicle, a two-seater vehicle with two passengers, a transit vehicle or motorcycle. The idea is that the bill would give an added incentive to purchase a hybrid vehicle, and raise awareness of hybrids as other drivers see them in the carpool lanes. ‘We’re celebrating an idea once thought to be crazy,’ said Terry Tamminen of the EPA, ‘a gas engine with an electric motor.’ Currently, the hybrids that have 45-miles-per-gallon gas mileage and meet advanced emission standards include the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius. These cars have sticker prices in the $19,000 to $20,000 range. Other vehicles are being developed that would also meet the standards. If enacted, the legislation would be limited to 75,000 electric-gas hybrids. Federal approval would also be needed, beause federal funds are used in the construction of HOV lanes. Currently similar legislation is in effect in Virginia, and two Virginia dealers are reportedly the national leaders in hybrid car sales. ‘This bill can help give auto companies an incentive to accelerate the production of hybrid vehicles,’ said Pavley, who feels it will help make the public more interested in and aware about hybrid vehicles. ‘My neighbors don’t realize you don’t have to plug them in,’ said Pavley, who drives a 2004 Toyota Prius. The cars automatically recharge themselves. A screen on the dashboard continually displays the mileage per gallon, and Tamminen said it inspires him to drive a little slower to keep the numbers up. ‘We Californians use one million gallons of gas a day. In 2030, there will be 20 million more cars on the road,’ says David, a national leader on climate change and clean air issues. ‘Hybrid cars get you there with half the gas and half the pollution.’
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
