HOV Hybrid Law Extended, But Hybrids on I-66 Capped

Drivers of hybrid vehicles with the required clean fuel license plates will continue to be able to use the Interstate 95, 395, 66 and Dulles Toll Road High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes until June 30, 2012, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. However, come July 1, 2011, there is an important change on I-66.

The new law states that only hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates issued prior to July 1, 2011 will be permitted to use the I-66 HOV lanes during rush hours. Police will ticket any hybrid vehicle that does not have a clean fuel plate issued before July 1, 2011.

A similar law took effect on I-95 and I-395 five years ago – only hybrids with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2006 are permitted to use the I-95/395 HOV lanes during rush hours.

Beginning July 1, 2011, the Department of Motor Vehicles will issue a clean fuel license plate with a different design so that police can easily spot violators in the HOV lanes.

Delegate Thomas A. “Tag” Greason sponsored the one-year extension which was approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor McDonnell last month.

In order for a hybrid vehicle to use Virginia’s HOV lanes during the morning and afternoon rush hours, the vehicle must have a clean special fuel plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates, motorists should check the DMV Web site, www.dmvnow.com for an updated list of eligible hybrids.

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Another One Year Extension for HOV Plates in Virginia

According to the Washington Post, Virginia Gov. Robert F. Mc­Don­nell has signed the now-traditional, one-year extension of the temporary law allowing solo drivers to use the lanes meant for carpoolers as long as they have the proper clean fuel license plates.

"But there is an important difference this year: Drivers who want to take advantage of this legal end-run around the carpooling requirement to drive on Interstate 66 High Occupancy Vehicle lanes need to buy their hybrids and get the clean fuel tags by June 30. After that, they can still buy hybrids, but they’ll risk getting a ticket if they drive in the I-66 HOV lanes. Police look for the proper tags, not for the type of vehicle.

"This change in the I-66 rules that grandfathers in clean fuel license plates issued before a certain date and then cuts off newcomers is similar to a provision that took effect in 2006 regarding hybrid driving on the I-95/395 HOV lanes. That was a concession to the concerns of carpoolers and the Virginia Department of Transportation that hybrids with solo drivers were on their way to clogging the HOV lanes, diminishing the incentive to carpool for a faster trip.

The rules for clean fuel tags are online on the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Web site. The annual fee for clean-fuel plates is $25.

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HOV Extension for Hybrid Vehicles Extended Until June 2011

Extension allows hybrids to use HOV lanes on Dulles Toll Road

Hybrid vehicles with the required clean fuel license plates will continue to be able to use the I-95/395, I-66 and Dulles Toll Road high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes until June 30, 2011, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Delegate Thomas A. “Tag” Greason sponsored the one-year extension which was approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor McDonnell on March 13.

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.

In order for a hybrid vehicle to use Virginia’s HOV lanes during the morning and afternoon rush hours, the vehicle must have a clean special fuel plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates, motorists should check the DMV Web site, http://www.dmvnow.com/, for an updated list of eligible hybrids.

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Loudoun County Public Schools to Operate the First Green School Bus in Virginia

According to a news release from Loudoun County Public Schools, the Loudoun system will operate the first green school bus in Virginia.

The bus arrived at the LCPS Transportation Facility last month and will go into service as soon as final titling is completed. The bus will be used to transport students to the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

According to the school system, the Thomas Built bus costs $160,000, about $60,000 more than a conventional bus but will use about 30 percent less fuel than a conventional school bus.

The bus runs on a hybrid technology similar to that used in a Ford Escape. An electric motor will run the bus up to a speed of 25 mph with the standard diesel engine kicking in after that. The hybrid's electric cell generates its own electricity when the driver eases off the accelerator.

Read the full release and check out the online video with Floyd Merryman, the president and CEO of Sonny Merryman, Inc., of Lynchburg, the dealer that sold the bus to LCPS.

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HOV Exemption for Hybrid Vehicles Extended to June 30, 2010

Hybrid vehicles with the required clean fuel license plates will continue to be able to use the I-95/395, I-66 and Dulles Toll Road high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes until June 30, 2010, or as long as federal rules allow, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. The Virginia General Assembly approved a one-year extension which was signed into law by Governor Kaine on March 30.

In order for a hybrid vehicle to use Virginia’s HOV lanes during the morning and afternoon rush hours, the vehicle must have a clean special fuel plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates, motorists should check the DMV Web site for an updated list of eligible hybrids.

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. Hybrid vehicles will not be able to use the I-495 High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes when they are completed. Nor would they be permitted to use the proposed I-95/395 HOT lanes.

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For Our Hybrid Vehicle Owners

According to Dr. Gridlock with the Washington Post, hybrid vehicles with the proper clean fuel tags can continue to use the HOV lanes in Northern Virginia through June 30, 2010. According to the article, the Virginia General Assembly extended the law, much to the unhappiness of Dr. Gridlock.

House Bill 2476 was sponsored by Del. Tim Hugo and signed by Gov. Tim Kaine. (The only change in the law is striking out "2009" and writing in "2010" in the sunset date on the law.)

And just so you're totally "in the know," here's a link to the VDOT Web site with everything you needed to know about HOV lanes and rules and hybrids.

So what are your thoughts? Should hybrids be allowed in the HOV lanes, even if they only have the driver? Tell us what you think!

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