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Hybrid Cars in California Car Pools Lanes Delayed January 2005California's hybrid car owners who'd hoped to drive solo in the carpool lanes this year have to put the brakes on those dreams because of a legislative stalemate in Washington, D.C.Although Assembly Bill 2628 was set to become law with the new year, it cannot be implemented without approval by Congress, where the measure is stalled indefinitely. That's confused and frustrated many hybrid enthusiasts who loved the idea of zipping past their gas-guzzling brethren on Los Angeles' notoriously jammed freeways. "We're getting e-mails from all over the state, from people who either say they own a hybrid or they're thinking about buying one, saying, 'When can we use the ... (carpool) lanes?'' said Louise Rishoff, district director for Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, the Woodland Hills Democrat who introduced the legislation. "We're just waiting for Congress,' she said. "The bill acknowledges that this federal approval is a prerequisite to implementation. But (Pavley's) also very confident that it's going to happen.' That's little solace to hybrid drivers who embraced the perk they get for doing right by the environment. Hybrids were wildly popular this year in Southern California. The state led sales for the Toyota Prius, and the thought of cruising in the carpool lanes piqued the interest of many shoppers eyeing the new environmentally friendly technology. But now, driving solo in the carpool lane will get them only the threat of a $271 fine. "I am disappointed that it hasn't passed, yeah, of course,' said Toyota Prius driver Michael DeDonato, who had been looking forward to taking carpool lanes when he drove from Westchester to Garden Grove to teach karate classes after work. "We would all like to be able to drive solo in the carpool lanes, and I think we deserve to.' Pavley's bill allows cars that get 45 mpg or better, namely, the Toyota Prius and Honda's Civic and Insight, to travel with solo drivers in the high-occupancy vehicle lanes. But the law cannot be implemented until Congress signs off; federal approval is needed because federal funds are provided for carpool lanes. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, introduced a bill in November that would have allowed the California law to be implemented, but it wasn't acted on before Congress adjourned for the holidays. The bill is expected to be introduced again. Separately, legislation was also included in the federal highway spending bill that had been making its way through Congress, but that also got shelved until the new session. As soon as federal approval is granted, the state Department of Motor Vehicles will issue decals showing a hybrid qualifies for the carpool lanes. Toyota spokeswoman Nancy Hubbell said the carmaker still gets queries from customers asking if they can use their hybrids in the carpool lanes. "We say, 'Please don't.' There are a lot of people out there, especially in L.A., for whom getting a free ride in the carpool lane is like a get-out-of-jail-free card,' she said. "People were very excited about this. Unfortunately, we need to get federal approval or the federal highway funds are at risk, and I'm sure that's something no one wants to see.' The proposed federal law still faces a tough fight on Capitol Hill, where the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has mounted opposition. The group says there are a host of new hybrids coming to the market that don't quite achieve the 45 mph fuel-efficiency requirement, from the Ford Escape that debuted this year to the Lexus RX400H coming in 2005, and the perk shouldn't be limited to only those three cars that do. "To single out one class of vehicle within the hybrid technology isn't good policy, doesn't make sense,' said Eloy Garcia, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents nine car companies including Ford, General Motors and Toyota. "Especially when the automakers are diversifying their hybrids, meeting demands.' Prius driver Andy Lipkis, president of the nonprofit group TreePeople in Los Angeles, got his hybrid in September for the fuel conservation, but called the carpool lane perk "a lovely extra.' Even though he avoids freeways on his commute to work, he's still troubled about the delay in implementing the legislation. "That is very frustrating and of great concern to me. Here is the federal government getting in the way of the state and its people trying to do the right thing.' DeDonato moved his karate classes closer to his Westchester home this year so he wouldn't have to endure the horrible commute on Interstate 405, but hopes the carpool lanes will get opened to hybrids like his 2001 Prius. "I am most definitely looking forward to the passage of that bill,' said DeDonato, a chief financial officer of a small manufacturing firm. "We hybrid owners feel we are doing something for the environment.' SOURCE: SB Sun.com | ||
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