New Carpool Lane Laws Will Allow Solo Drivers In Cars Like The Chevy Volt In HOV Lanes |
SACRAMENTO -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger late Monday night signed into law a new bill that expands the types of vehicles that allow solo drivers into California's carpool lanes.
The measure will allow up to 40,000 more motorists to drive alone in the HOV lanes.
The bill, that was sponsored by General Motors, also extends the lifespan of existing permits for hybrid and electric vehicles. The bill, SB 535 by Sen. Leland Yee (D-S.F.) would provide thousands of permits for new models of fuel-efficient cars, including G.M.'s Chevrolet Volt, as well as the new Toyota Prius and Nissan Leaf.
Hybrid car owners who already have a yellow sticker allowing them access to the carpool lane will be given a six month extension past the December 31st expiration date.
The measure, which now includes plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars, was opposed by some lawmakers who say carpool lanes are getting too congested because of all the special permits for solo drivers.
But Yee said his bill was needed because new cars are being built with technology that was not available when the state began permitting fuel-efficient cars to use carpool lanes.
The measure will allow up to 40,000 more motorists to drive alone in the HOV lanes.
The bill, that was sponsored by General Motors, also extends the lifespan of existing permits for hybrid and electric vehicles. The bill, SB 535 by Sen. Leland Yee (D-S.F.) would provide thousands of permits for new models of fuel-efficient cars, including G.M.'s Chevrolet Volt, as well as the new Toyota Prius and Nissan Leaf.
Hybrid car owners who already have a yellow sticker allowing them access to the carpool lane will be given a six month extension past the December 31st expiration date.
The measure, which now includes plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars, was opposed by some lawmakers who say carpool lanes are getting too congested because of all the special permits for solo drivers.
But Yee said his bill was needed because new cars are being built with technology that was not available when the state began permitting fuel-efficient cars to use carpool lanes.
