Hybrids lose carpool privilege in California

Jul 9, 2010 12:19 PM

People buy hybrids for a lot of reasons. But one key motivator in many cities has been the ability to use carpool lanes—even without a ride-share partner. Now that privilege is about to expire for buyers in the most popular hybrid state, California.

Yesterday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law that will end hybrids access to the state's HOV lanes starting Jan. 1, 2011 when the yellow stickers for hybrids were expected to expire unless the deadline was extended.

White stickers for alternative-fuel vehicles such as electric cars, the natural-gas powered Honda Civic GX, and fuel-cell cars are still valid for HOV lanes.

California has not issued new HOV stickers to hybrids since 2007. A study last year found that the stickers added as much as $1,500 to the value of used hybrids that had them.

Access to HOV California carpool lanes is just one of many benefits hybrid owners have enjoyed, including free parking at municipal spaces in Los Angeles, as well as tax incentives from federal and state governments. Los Angeles recently eliminated the hybrid parking privilege in an effort to balance its budget.

The HOV privilege helped hybrids gain popularity, and today, models such as the Toyota Prius sell in mainstream volumes. With this move, California is shifting attention to the next automotive powertrain technology and its incentives should aid EV sales.

Visit our guide to alternative fuels and guide to fuel economy.

—Eric Evarts

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