Hybrids to be allowed to use HOV lanes
By Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 11:41 a.m., May 16, 2008
Updated 11:41 a.m., May 16, 2008
Hybrid owners will soon have a shot at traveling in HOV lanes, even if drivers are alone in their vehicle.
In a long-awaited move, the Colorado Department of Transportation is accepting applications from owners of hybrid vehicles for a permit to use the state's high occupancy vehicle lanes.
CDOT will accept applications through May 31, and then, using a lottery system, issue 2,000 permits. Applications will be accepted online, in person and through the mail. The EPA has completed a draft list of vehicles that CDOT will use to decide if a car is eligible for the program.
The notion of allowing fuel-efficient hybrids into HOV lanes dates to state legislation passed in 2003 designed to create another incentive for people to purchase more fuel-efficient and less-polluting cars.
But the plan is not without critics.
Some drivers have questioned why hybrids need access to HOV lanes as an incentive five years later, with gas prices at record highs. Others complain that some hybrid SUVs may be allowed to ride the lanes even though some conventional cars, such as a Honda Civic, get better gas mileage.
Others worry the lanes could become overcrowded. In Virginia, where hybrids were allowed to use HOV lanes beginning in 2000, nearly a quarter of the cars in the carpool lanes are now hybrids. In some areas, officials are scaling back the program because traffic grew too heavy, a fate CDOT wants to avoid, said spokeswoman Stacey Stegman.
CDOT is most concerned about HOV lanes on Interstate 25. "We're reaching capacity on those," Stegman said.
The agency believes setting a limit of 2,000, and then selecting those in a lottery will ensure not all hybrid owners will end up the I-25 lanes. There are also HOV lanes on Santa Fe Drive, the Boulder Turnpike and on Colorado 82 between Aspen and Glenwood Springs.
Federal law allows certain low emission and fuel-efficient cars to use HOV lanes through Sept. 30, 2009, when the CDOT permits will expire — unless the federal government extends such use. CDOT said it reserves the right at any time to cancel permits should travel times in any of the corridors become too slow.
hartmant@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5048
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May 16, 2008
12:19 p.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
They weren't using duracell batteries. What about some diesel cars that get 50-60mpg? I am sure they won't be able to get permits because it doesn't say 'hybrid' on it. What a joke.
May 16, 2008
12:42 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
jude, probably because they have their air conditioner on (which blows their good gas mileage claim out the door) and that's all the power they have left!
May 16, 2008
12:42 p.m.
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ramanboy33 writes:
Oh, LingLingfor_prez. I know that this isn't a well researched article, but instead of reaching up your a** to come up with the conclusion that highly fuel-efficient vehicles that aren't hybirds won't be given permits and that the program is therefore a "joke, why don't you do a little research for yourself before posting stupid comments. It's not even very hard research. You only have to click the eligible vehicle list link at the bottom of the article. I know it can be misleading to the lazy, but the heading "To view the EPA's list of eligible hybrid vehicles" is incorrect because the list actually includes several non-hybird, high efficiency gasoline powered cars (2003 Honda Insight for example) as well as several compressed natural gas powered vehicles.
May 16, 2008
12:43 p.m.
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RickyLee writes:
BS.
This proves HOV lanes really aren't there to relieve congestion.
May 16, 2008
12:46 p.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
I'll sell 'HYBRID' badges for cars, and tell people they are made from recycled plastic. Damn i'm good. Look at the application, it can easily be faked or falsified.
http://www.dot.state.co.us/hybrids/do...
What you want?, what you need...
May 16, 2008
12:56 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
"This proves HOV lanes really aren't there to relieve congestion."
wait, so how does getting more cars off the regular freeway where congestion occurs and into the HOV lanes where they couldn't be before isn't relieving any congestion?
how about you think about that one a bit harder, clark.
-b
May 16, 2008
12:58 p.m.
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smith writes:
I hope all 2000 permits goto the largest SUV hybrids available. Either that, or to people who are politically well-connected.
May 16, 2008
12:59 p.m.
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ramanboy33 writes:
DahmerCookbook: Please explain how the application can be "faked or falsified". You're required to provide your vehicle's VIN, car registration information, and your personal information. I'm assuming the state makes sure the vehicle is in fact eligible using the VIN and then checks to make sure the other info you provided coincides. I guess you could look up a VIN for an eligible car, fabricate new plates or parts on which the VIN is stamped, switch those parts out, have a new VIN/emission check for your car, re-register it, and then apply for an HOV permit, but that doesn't really seem worth the effort.
May 16, 2008
1:37 p.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
An exhausting abundance of diligence into A very simple endeavor ramanboy33. Don't make A mountain out of A mole-hill, but if I was ever to pursue white-collar money ventures I would like someone such as yourself to decorate my team. You recognize the logical, step two is possibility, loophole, probability, and step three is imagination.
May 16, 2008
1:51 p.m.
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McGowdog writes:
Here's the kicker. The Hybrid driver has to be drinking wine, have a 49ers bumper sticker and sniff their own farts while going, "Ahahahahahmmm mmm."
May 16, 2008
1:59 p.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
and in the nude!
May 16, 2008
2:02 p.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
I was under the impression that EVERY vehicle owner has paid for the HOV lanes. Now just Hybrid drives can use and I have to pay? If you have a hybrid, you have special rights? I am all for saving the dirtball and all... but I do not like the idea of 'special rights' for those driving a certain type of vehicle.
I am guessing there is a lawyer just DYING to jump on this one...
(Cue all the stinky hippies who need a bath... "Flame On!"
May 16, 2008
2:31 p.m.
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ramanboy33 writes:
If not nude, at least draped in Tibetan prayer flags.
May 16, 2008
2:40 p.m.
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denverinfidel writes:
Ramanboy33 - Do you feel as stupid as you sound? The Honda Insight is a hybrid. It was the first gas/electric hybrid sold in this country.
You say the list contains "several non-hybird, high efficiency gasoline powered cars (2003 Honda Insight for example)". It doesn't. Other than the CNG powered vehicles, every single car on that list is a gas/electric hybrid.
You obvioulsy don't have a clue what you're talking about. Perhaps you could take your own advice and do some research?
May 16, 2008
2:41 p.m.
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blacksho89 writes:
A Toyota Highlander 4WD qualifies for a free ride. Mileage (city) is
34.3 MPG. MSRP for a loaded model is $39,995.00. Demand is high, so they sell for over the MSRP.
Hybrids get LOWER mileage on the highway than in the city, as the gasoline engine runs constantly.
The Toyota Yaris, on the other hand,gets 36 MPG Highway, and starts at $11,350.00, and does NOT qualify for the toll waiver.
My point? A free pass for the hybrids (not free, mind you-subsidized by YOUR fuel taxes), is WELFARE FOR THE RICH!
Does nobody in Colorado State Government have a working brain? Anyone? Ritter? Ritter?
May 16, 2008
2:42 p.m.
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MeAgainstMachine writes:
MarineGrunt - the article clearly states that hybrid drivers can use the HOV lane with just the driver, not the two passenger minimum.
You're last post suggests that the HOV will only be for hybrid drivers only.
There will be no lawyers jumping on this. It is no different than buses and motorcycles being exempt.
May 16, 2008
3:30 p.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
Machine.. any chance you could infer that other people would still use the "High Occupant Vehicle" lane for vehicles with 2 or more people? (Had a funny idea this article was centered around the hybrid issue... we know what assuming get us now, huh?)
Sorry I did not include the basics of my argument. If I could type slower... I would.
I'll say it again.
READ.
THINK.
TYPE.
In that order, please.
May 16, 2008
3:55 p.m.
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bookwerm writes:
I agree with those who have issue with the INCLUSION of BIG FAST HYBRID SUV'S (hybrid makes them faster and a LITTLE better mpg, but NOT that great), and EXCLUSION of NON HYbrids like yaris, jetta TDI (50MPG), etc.
This foolish nonsense of including Hybrids because they are Hybrids (like it is some magic word!) is all just a bunch of tom foolery by folks who have the appearance of brains without the reality making decisions that are dumb.
A REASONABLE check for being ok is NOT whether or not it is a friggin HYbrid.. my bet would be Govt. EPA MPG with some min. MPG for inclusion >. yes, that is flawed, but only official metric.. for instance, the VW TDI's do BETTER than EPA numbers.. and other cars, MUCH worse, even with the new numbers and testing adjustments. But if we say, any car OVER 35MPG, THAT is fair, as most cars do about 20 MPG, and at 35 they are about twice that.. same as having half a car :-0
And yes, I AM a rocket scientist.
HEy, news people, who the heck do we write to get this fixed? an MPG based OK would be fine with us mostly, but NOT having big fast SUV hybrids! Those should be dumped.
May 16, 2008
4:10 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
bookwerm, I am curious here, not being sarcastic. Since you are a rocket scientist and you seem to know about the new numbers and testing adjustments, does this take into account air conditioning? Somewhere I heard that the numbers have been rated according to no air conditioning being used and that the smaller engines suck more gasoline to run the AC.
May 16, 2008
5:53 p.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
The CALIFORNICATORS have found out that the PIOUS lanes do NOT work and they are phasing them out ( their stickers expire in 2011 and they are NOT issuing more ).
Is COLORADO behind the curve on this boondoggle?
Or are we going to cause another SMUG ALERT?
I thought that BOULDER should deal with the PIOUS problem; they have more PIOUS vehicles per square mile than the SFBA.... ( been there, saw that )...
May 16, 2008
8:13 p.m.
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MattGuyver_007 writes:
I'm working on a car that has a tiny nuclear reactor in the back seat, it doesn't look gay and gets about a million miles per rod. Hoping to qualify for the PIOUS lanes and shave a few minutes off my DTC to Boulder commute.