Virginia Extends HOV Exemption Again

Virginia has once again passed an exemption to the carpool lane laws, allowing some hybrids access even if the driver is all alone. The extension goes through June 30, 2011.

Only hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2006 can use the I-95/395 HOV lanes during rush hours. All hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates can use all other HOV lanes in Virginia during HOV hours, including I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road in Northern Virginia.

Qualifying hybrids include (Source: Virginia):

2003 and Earlier	Honda Civic, Honda Insight, Toyota Prius
2004	Honda Civic, Honda Insight, Toyota Prius
2005	Ford Escape, Honda Civic, Honda Insight, Toyota Prius
2006	Ford Escape, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Honda Insight, Lexus RX400, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Prius
2007	Ford Escape, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Lexus GS450h, Lexus RX400h, Mercury Mariner, Nissan Altima 2.5, Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Prius
2008	Ford Escape, Honda Civic, Lexus GS450h, Lexus RX400h, Lexus LS600h, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, Nissan Altima 2.5, Tesla Roadster, Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Prius,
2009	Ford Escape, Honda Civic, Lexus GS450h, Lexus LS600h, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, Nissan Altima, Tesla Roadster, Toyota Camry, Toyota Camry Hybrid 2.4 L., Toyota Highlander, Toyota Prius
2010	Ford Escape 2.5L, Ford Fusion 2.5L, Honda Civic 1.3L, Honda Insight 1.3L, Lexus GS450h 3.5L, Lexus HS250h 2.4L, Lexus RX450h 3.5L, Mazda Tribute 2.5L, Mercury Mariner 2.5L, Mercury Milan 2.5L, Nissan Altima 2.5, Tesla Roadster, Toyota Camry 2.4L, Toyota Highlander 3.3L, Toyota Prius 1.8L

I'm not sure the Tesla Roadster was in the legislatures minds when they wrote the original bill, and I'm not sure the exemption would continue to pass if new vehicles were being allowed in.

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Pennsylvania Rebate for Hybrids is Ending Soon

In case you missed it or forgot about it, the Pennsylvania rebate program is still happening.  A $500 rebate is available to those who buy or lease a hybrid in Pennsylvania, but only until March 6th.

The program is pretty strict and is available on a first come first serve basis. The rebate instructions and forms are available on the Pennsylvania website.

The following 2009 model year vehicles are eligible for a rebate:

• Toyota Prius
• Honda Civic Hybrid
• Nissan Altima Hybrid
• Ford Escape Hybrid
• Mazda Tribute Hybrid
• Mercury Mariner Hybrid
• Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Saturn Vue Hybrid
• Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
• Saturn Aura Hybrid

The following 2010 model year vehicles are eligible for a rebate:

• Toyota Prius
• Ford Fusion Hybrid (FWD)
• Mercury Milan Hybrid (FWD)
• Honda Civic Hybrid
• Honda Insight
• Nissan Altima
• Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Lexus RX 450h, 450h (AWD)
• Lexus HS 250h
• Ford Escape Hybrid (FWD)
• Mazda Tribute Hybrid (2WD) & (FWD)
• Mercury Mariner Hybrid (FWD)
• Saturn Vue Hybrid
• Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

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Hybrid HOV Access Up Again in Virginia

It's that time of year again. Virginia legislators are once again looking to extend HOV access to solo hybrid car owners. Several bills have been submitted (via Fredericksburg) to grant exemption.

Hybrid proponents point out HOV access encourages people to buy hybrid cars, which lowers fuel (and oil) consumption here in the US. Detractors say a gas-guzzling SUV with 2 or 3 people in it saves more in gas on the drive in the carpool lane than a solo driver in the most fuel efficient hybrid.

Proposed legislation would extend access on I-95/395 through July 1, 2011. The current extension runs out on July 1, 2010.

Some complain that HOV lanes can get congested, and why should solo drivers get access. Hybrid drivers point out cheaters make more of an impact than hybrid car owners.

One version of the proposed bill will give all clean special fuel vehicle owners another year to use HOV lanes at rush hour with one occupant on the Dulles Toll Road and Interstate 66.

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Get 42 Thousand Dollars Buying a Tesla

In the great state of Colorado, you can now buy a 2009 Tesla Roadster for just $67,800, or $42 thousand less than what most people pay for it.  And just in time for the holidays, Tesla will be opening the doors to its Gallery in Boulder, Colorado.

The only catch is this is a tax break so you have to live in Colorado (almost makes it worth the money to move there, doesn't it?) and you have to buy before December 31.

Source: Green Car Reports

That's not all. If you want to (see the full list in this pdf from Colorado state), you could buy a 2009 Lexus LS 600h L and get $20,000 back. Or, if you want to spend less (or just don't expect somehow to pay $20,000 in taxes for which you would be eligible for a tax credit to get it back), you could buy an Insight or Prius and expect $3,000 in tax credits.

The tax credits were set up to return up to 85% of the difference between alternative fueled cars, and the price of an equivalent car running on just gas.

Interested in a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid? You could get almost $4,000 back. A Lexus GS 450h? Almost $6,500. The 2009 Cadillac Escalade could net you almost $5,500 in tax credits.

I'm not sure this state tax credit was well thought out???

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Not Everyone Gets TARP Funds for Hybrids

With all the press releases from towns, counties and states that have gotten federal money to buy hybrids lately, it's interesting to note those who don't.

In Oregon, a $15 million application to provide hybrid vehicles and electric recharging stations along Interstate 5 and Interstate 84 was not approved.  Oregon had hoped to use the funds to help purchase 800 vehicles that use partial or all electric power, as well as 1,250 recharging stations.

"Oregon's project was unfortunately not selected for funding under this opportunity. We are currently trying to identify other sources of funds or other ways to accomplish the objectives of the project," said Oregon Business Development Department Clean Tech Industry Strategist Mark Brady.

Source:State loses on hybrid money | MailTribune.com

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Colorado Goes Month-to-Month on HOV Access for Hybrids

Hybrid vehicle owners in Colorado now have to go month to month on whether they get to keep their HOV access.

The state offered up to 2,000 stickers over a year ago to those hybrid vehicle owners who owned vehicles on the list of hybrids created by the EPA. 1,817 permits were given out.

On September 30, the law allowing HOV access expired. Congress passed a one-month extension while they considered their options. The CDOT notified drivers that Congress will once again have to issue an extension of the bill at the end of this month.

Source: Hybrids going month-to-month in HOV lanes - The Denver Post

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Worried About HOV Access in California?

If you're one of the 85,000 with solo access to the HOV lane in California, it seems you should be worried.

Solo hybrid drivers may lose carpool lane privileges -- latimes.com

The stickers granting that privilege to 85,000 hybrid owners are set to expire Jan. 1, 2011. There are proposals in Sacramento to extend the deadline, but they would exclude most of the vehicles that originally qualified for the program, such as the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic hybrid and the original Honda Insight.

New Rules for Higher Gains
The proposals grant solo access to hybrid cars, but only if you get over 65 mpg or better. That's not possible with today's mass manufactured cars. The Chevy Volt and other plug-in hybrids will meet or beat those numbers, however.

In the meantime, if the stickers do expire for current hybrid car owners, it's going to mean several things.

First, you will have to get back in line with all the other solo drivers in California, which can mean you're going to be tacking on hours to your daily commute.

Second, the value of your hybrid car is about to go down. One of the quirks of the program is the sticker stays with the vehicle, not the driver. Having a sticker on your car could mean a thousand or more when you went to re-sell it. It also prompted a small boom in crime, as there were reports of people stealing the stickers.

No Longer a Need for Incentives?
There's also the wider picture. If this program was designed to encourage hybrid buyers, policy makers in California are no longer willing to push for 'normal' hybrids. In other words, hybrid cars are being recognized as mainstream vehicles. Instead, lawmakers want to encourage the next step, either all electric or at least plug-in hybrids.

And they have been feeling that way for a while now.  Once the number of stickers sold was capped at 85,000, it no longer became an incentive for new hybrid car buyers.

Other Incentives Are Likely to Fade Away
It's likely that other states will follow in California's footsteps and start dropping the HOV and other privileges.  So, if you're in the market for a hybrid car right now, you may want to keep that in mind.  If you want the state tax break, for instance, now is the time.  Not only will the HOV access be going away, but the state tax breaks are sure to follow.

One other thing.  Part of the reasoning behind cutting out the hybrids from the solo access for lawmakers is to ease some of the congestion in the HOV lanes.  It's unlikely hybrids are either the cause or the solution to the problem, however.  At 85,000 stickers, the numbers just don't add up.  Cheaters do more to congest the lanes.

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HK Motors to Build Hybrid Car Plant in Bay Minette, Alabama

HK Motors (Hybrid Kinetic Motors Corp. ) announced plans to build a new automotive plant in Bay Minette, Alabama.  The plant will have the capacity to build 300,000 hybrid cars a year.

Governor Riley made the announcement, noting the company expect to create 5,000 hi-tech, green, high paying jobs.

HK Motors will be investing $1 billion, initially, to build on the 3,000 acre industrial site.

The company is still seeking investors and conducting research and development, the source said. A series of "triggers" must occur before negotiations about incentives begin, and no taxpayer money will be committed until "real" milestones are achieved, the state official added. Source: al

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Virginia Installs First Plug-in Station

Virginia will be setting up charging stations for plug-in hybrids in selected rest areas. The first one has already been installed at the westbound New Kent Safety Rest Area on Interstate 64. It can charge up to four vehicles at a time.

At 120 Volts, it's going to take a long time for a car to recharge, but I suppose if you have half an hour, it can't hurt to plug in.  Also, use is complimentary.

Virginia plans to upgrade to 240 Volts for faster charging.

Funding for the installation comes from Dominion Virginia and is not coming from the state.

"I am pleased to work with Dominion to provide clean fuel alternatives for the citizens of Virginia and implement another recommendation of my Climate Change Commission," Governor Kaine said. "The charging stations will help promote hybrid electric vehicles, meet the future needs of our vehicle fleet, and help budget conscious Virginians in a tough time."

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Car Pool Lane Priviliges Extended in California

For those worried about the hybrid car pool lane sunsetting on September 30 in California, there may be good news.
Source: Roadshow: Hybrids can use carpool lanes until Jan. 1, 2011 - Inside Bay Area

I have carpool stickers for a Prius and was told by a DMV technician that the expiration date for using these stickers will be Sept. 30 because of a new federal law. After this time, hybrid owners would not be allowed to travel in carpool lanes. Is this true?

John Fritch

A: No, but I've been getting bombarded with worries like this and here's why: Sept. 30 is indeed the sunset date for current federal law allowing some single-occupant hybrids to use California carpool lanes. Without an extension of the federal law, this privilege would have ended. But an extension is in the works that would allow solo hybrid owners with stickers to use the carpool lane until Jan. 1, 2011. So you're good until then.

So, it's looking good for an extension.

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Fed Handing Out Grants for Hybrids

Seattle received $1.4 million in federal grant money to purchase 15 diesel electric hybrid trucks.  The money will also go towards equipping city-owned properties with electric charging stations.  $500,000 of the grant will go towards the electric charging station, with the rest being used to pay for the trucks.

It's estimated the diesel hybrids will save more than 10,000 gallons of fuel annually.

The Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) is line to get $20 million in federal grant money, which will be used to install 2,550 charging systems for electric vehicles.


Maryland will be buying 150 hybrid vehicles with $5.9 million in federal stimulus money.  The hybrids will be used by private companies.  Aramark, Efficiency Enterprises, Nestle Waters of North America, Sysco Corp. and UPS who are all part of the Maryland Hybrid Truck Good Movement Initiative.  The new fleets will cost $14.7 million, so the companies are paying almost two-thirds of the cost.

Aramark alone is expecting to purchase 50 hybrid vehicles.

The hybrids are estimated at reducing fuel consumption by 460,000 gallons a year.

The Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition will use $12.9 million in federal stimulus funds to purchase hybrid electric school buses.  The money is coming through the Dept of Energy, which estimates the new buses will save 122,000 gallons of petroleum a year.

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Pros and Cons of Free Hybrid Car Parking

You may have seen the signs by now, free or preferred parking if you own a hybrid.  In towns and cities across the US and Canada, hybrid car owners are given the opportunity to obtain a 'green' sticker.  Once placed on the vehicle, the owner can then park in spots with meters, without paying.  Some retailers have also gotten into the act, allowing hybrid cars to park closer to the store in designated spots.

Free parking for a Prius from flickr

Some call it a perk, others a motivator to buy a hybrid, while others are not so kind in their descriptions of what they think about it.  I'd like to go over some of the pros and cons of free or preferred hybrid car parking, so we can at least define the issues involved.

Cons
It's a bit unfair to those who don't own a hybrid but do own fuel efficient cars. If you're promoting fuel efficiency, why not put a lower limit on how fuel efficient a car has to be to say that car can park here? Is a Hybrid Escalade that gets 20 mpg really better than a Honda Fit that gets 29 mpg?

It's a bit elitist, since hybrid cars are not cheap to buy. The cheapest hybrid vehicle you can buy in the US is the Insight, which comes in at $20K. Used hybrids are still sold at high prices. So, only those who can afford a hybrid can get the perk. That means you're 'giving to the rich' when you set up free or preferred parking for hybrid owners.

That cost factor also means that most customers will not be able to use this perk at retail stores. You are setting up a class system and preferred status for some is always worth questioning.

Given the weight issues in America, shouldn't we all be parking at the back end of the lot and walking a little bit more to get to the entrance? Leave all the spots close to the entrances for those who really need it (disability). It would be healthier for us and better for them.

Pros
It is an incentive to buy a hybrid. Maybe not a big one, but it can certainly help tip someone over the edge into buying a hybrid.

It promotes social awareness for some very important global issues, whether we're talking about the environment or dependency on oil, even in common situations like running an errand at the local store or driving downtown.

While hybrids are not necessarily built for fuel efficiency, and there are cars out there that can be very fuel efficient and not be a hybrid, the electric motor does promote using less gas. Hybrid engines are still a new and expensive technology, and promoting it now will benefit others in the future.

Yes, they are expensive now, but the more hybrids that are bought, the less they cost to build (economy of scale). By buying a hybrid, you are sending a clear message to the car makers that fuel efficiency is a priority, which makes them focus more on it. That's why more and more car makers are building more and more hybrids.

In the long run, that also promotes electric and plug-in cars, which burn even less fuel. And that promotes fuel cell cars. And so on...

As for putting aside spots for fuel efficient cars, rather than hybrids, how do you police that? Hybrids are easy to spot. Fuel efficiency, unless you leave the sticker on the window from the dealership, is not.

Conclusions
Like other pros and cons of hybrid cars, the issues are not clear cut and easy to resolve.  We all come in to the argument with our own agendas and preconceived notions about what's right and what's wrong.  But for me, in the long run, I'm against putting aside spots for hybrids, although that may surprise you.

I do want to promote hybrid car buyers. Not all hybrids are built equally, but each one of them does help on the long road of promoting fuel efficiency and in the long run, that will pay off for all of us.

Right now, only those with more money to spend can afford hybrids, but the more they buy, the more economical they become. You only have to look at the price war between the Prius and the new Insight to see that.

No, I really do think we should all walk a little bit more to become healthier (or ride a bike, although that's rarely feasible). So, I wish they would put aside more spots for those who need it or deserve a break (I love how expectant mothers get closer spots at Babys 'R' Us, for instance).

But for the short term, I do support these and other measures to promote hybrid car buyers. Like other perks for hybrid car owners such as HOV access or lower taxes, these incentives do help people to make the decision to buy hybrids, a decidedly expensive purchase. But by helping the people do it now, even though the payoff can be questionable (some hybrids will 'pay you back' in fuel savings, while others will not), it will help us all in the long run.

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Oregon State Hybrid Car Tax Credit Ending

Looks like the Oregon state tax credit for hybrid cars is about to end.  The House has passed a bill that would set a deadline of January 1, 2010 to qualify for the $1,500 tax credit.

The Senate is expected to pass the bill as well.  Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski wants a new bill to create a tax credit on plug-in hybrid vehicles to replace the credit that's about to be expired.  The Bill is House Bill 2180.

Source: Statesman Journal

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Ford Should Teach Others How to Drive Hybrids

Someone from Ford should contact the government agencies that purchase their hybrids and talk to them about how to drive their new hybrid vehicles. I know they know how to get the most out of their hybrid vehicles. Now they need to make sure the people who are most likely to influence future purchases know how to, too.

Fallsnewspress.com - City saving gas with its first hybrid vehicle

Bye said he can drive on electric power nearly the entire way from the Municipal Building on Second Street to the Electric Department on Bailey Road, a little more than a mile.

"I can go down Oakwood, turn on Front Street, get my speed up, back off the pedal a little bit and let it drop into electric and just feather it and keep it there almost all the way to work," Bye said.

"But if you got to pass somebody or you got to go up a little bit of a grade and you're pulling a little bit, then it goes back up into gas." The car will run on electric power until reaching approximately 23 mph when the four-cylinder gasoline engine kicks in, Carr said.

It's no wonder the guy in this story is getting just 22 mpg.  Driving on all electric may seem like a good idea, but that just guarantees you've drained the battery pack.  That means you're going to have to drive with all gas on the way home, killing your fuel economy. 

Hypermiling is a skill you can learn.  Driving a hybrid can be just like driving gas only cars.  But if you really want to get more out of it, there are simple techniques you can use to enhance your fuel sipping power.

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