Poll: should hybrid vehicles be allowed in HOV lanes?

[FreshPrince]

I see that they're starting to allow alternative fuel vehicles on HOV lanes...should hybrids fall in the same category?

-FP

 

[quakefiend420]

i think so...at least for a while to help convince people to buy them...considering what they do so far as emissions per capita...i think its ok

 

[Maximus96]

i don't have one, so no.

 

[Toastedlightly]

one quick point for me to make... does the engergy that the motor use up generate pollution in its creation?... if yes, then no.

 

[notfred]

No - the HOV lane is supposed to reduce freeway congestion, not just air pollution. Hybrid cars with one person in them do nothing for congestion.

 

[Slaimus]

Do not call them HOV lanes then

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
one quick point for me to make... does the engergy that the motor use up generate pollution in its creation?... if yes, then no.

That's a ridiculous argument. If a car is able to travel in a HOV lane ONLY when it creates no pollution at all, then no cars would be allowed in a HOV lane, ever. A carpool reduces pollution, just like a hybrid does. It does not eliminate it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: notfred
No - the HOV lane is supposed to reduce freeway congestion, not just air pollution. Hybrid cars with one person in them do nothing for congestion.

^ What he said.

ZV

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: zaku
i don't have one, so no.

 

[RandomCoil]

Certainly not hybrids by default! GM's making some full size trucks with hybrid engines to improve performance, not really mileage. I'd say any high-mileage car should be allowed to use the HOV lanes. Motorcycles are usually allowed in them. If you've got a car getting the same mpg as a motorcycle, certainly it should be allowed.

I remember Ford complaining that CA wouldn't let its hybrid Escape in the HOV lanes, only the hybrid Civic and Prius. They called it favoritism to Japanese manufacturers. The truth was that the stupid Escape couldn't make the mileage cutoff.

---------

Here's the link:

http://www.detnews.com/2004/au...0408/25/c03-253354.htm

The cutoff was 45 mpg, the Escape made 31. *Normal* Civics get ~38.

 

[FreshPrince]

I don't think HOV lanes reduce congestion...if anything, they add to it. With all those HOV cars weaving all the say to the right lane to exit the highway...it causes more congestion.

I would say requiring 18 wheelers and semi's to travel in 1 lane only would probably reduce 80% of the congestion...

 

[StageLeft]

No, and those lanes are dumb anyway. Less stupid rules, MORE DAMN LANES. The country has exploded in terms of traffic in the past few decades with almost no significant road building to show for it. Result is serious congestion.

 

[RandomCoil]

Interesting article from NPR:

http://www.npr.org/templates/s...4285399&sourceCode=RSS

Supposedly hybrids are making the HOV lanes crowded and less attractive. I'd argue that just means that there should be TWO lanes reserved for HOV's and high-mileage cars.

 

Yes.

 

[Vic]

Hell no. If anything, it should be the other way around. Hybrids are only more efficient than non-hybrids in start-and-stop driving situations. During highway speed cruising, hybrids can actually be less efficient than non-hybrids.

 

Originally posted by: Vic
Hell no. If anything, it should be the other way around. Hybrids are only more efficient than non-hybrids in start-and-stop driving situations. During highway speed cruising, hybrids can actually be less efficient than non-hybrids.

Actually, I retract my answer. Vic brings up an EXCELLENT point. Most hybrids actually get WORSE fuel economy at highway speeds, and they're made for stop-and-go driving. They shouldn't be allowed in HOV lanes. Good point, Vic.

 

[imported_whatever]

I think anything that gets 45+ mpg highway should be allowed in HOV lanes

 

[bsobel]

In California natural gas and electric cars are allowed in the HOV lanes (I have a natural gas Crown Victoria I commute in). They are allowed into the hov lanes as an inventive to purchase and use. The hybrids are currently having no trouble selling (in many places there are waiting lists) and don't require any additional inconvience (I have to go to a CNG fueling station, not just any gas station). As such, I don't think they need this inventive to get people to buy them.

Bill

 

[ultimatebob]

Hey, if they have more than 1 person in the car, ANYONE should be able to use the HOV lane!

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

Hybrid owners can just put a blow-up doll in the passenger's seat like everybody else.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: ArmchairAthlete
Hybrid owners can just put a blow-up doll in the passenger's seat like everybody else.

lol

 

[BurnItDwn]

Only if they have more than 1 person in the car.

 

[SuperSix]

HOV?

 

[Babbles]

Yeah, if they meet the requirement of "High Occupancy."

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: Babbles
Yeah, if they meet the requirement of "High Occupancy."

Ahhh. High Occupancy Vehicle.

What amount of people does "High Occupancy" require? And if it's just the AMOUNT of riders, I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed.