The Virginian-Pilot
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Drivers with hybrid vehicles and clean fuel license plates can keep using the HOV lanes on the interstates during restricted hours though June 2012.
The extension was signed into law last month by Gov. Bob McDonnell, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. The bill was introduced by Del. Thomas A. “Tag” Greason (R-Loudon).
Not all hybrid vehicles qualify for the clean license plate. Drivers can check the DMV website for a list of eligible vehicles.
Earlier this week, Virginia State Police said they would be cracking down on HOV violators into next week.
In Hampton Roads, the fine for an HOV violation is $100; in Northern Virginia, the fine starts at $250 for a first offense and includes four insurance points, according to VDOT.
To learn more about the HOV system, visit VDOTs website.
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Hybrid HOV
This article is hysterical for me. Last week I wrote in about the hybrid car being able to drive in the HOV lane when the Pilot's article about HOV "felons".
Now this story....I will repeat what I said. I bought a honda hybrid civic for $25,000. I could have bought the same car non hybrid for $16,000. I chose to spend the extra money to do my part in America in cleaning up the planet and the most important reason, having us less dependent on foreign oil. I made this decision 2 yrs ago and now look at the mess we're in and the price of gas.
when I purchased this car and spend a ton more money than I had to, I had no idea about the HOV bonus...after reading this, I hope you all will appreciate the additional cost of the car, but more impor
Main discrepancy
The main failure of the HOV between 564 and 264 is the access problem, known as lack of access. I feel that many people would use the HOV if they could get on/off at, say, Northhampton blvd, or Norview. As it is, once you're on it you're committed. As an alternative, reversible open lanes would allow exits/entrances as needed, resulting in more usage.
As for the "clean car" permission, this is a obviously an attempt to
encourage more people to buy them, theoretically improving air quality, reducing fuel usage and coincidentally increasing sales, thus improving the economy.
Hybrid HOV access = better air quality
Yes, I do agree with letting Hybrid vehicles use the HOV lanes. Yes, they're not High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) but they contribute to a better air quality for all of us.
I think this area should follow alot of the same standards that the San Francisco Bay area does, as we have alot in common with our West Coast Counterparts. we could learn alot from them!
As for the real reason of congestion at the HRBT, it's been 20+ years since capacity has been added to the tunnels. I-64 is 3 lanes almost to the bridge in Hampton, yet Norfolk is 2 lanes from Granby Street. One reason the backups in Norfolk are more vicious!
It's time to bring back the tolls to add capacity! Nothing in life is free! I'd rather pay a toll than to sit in traffic!
Isn't the HOV lane supposed to encourage car pooling?
Why this exception for a Hybrid vehicle? While they ARE politically correct, no matter how you do the science and engineering two of them still put twice as many pollutants into the atmosphere than one of them. Plus (pick any brand) 100 Ford Escape hybrids on the road create just as much traffic congestion as 100 gas powered Escapes.
Also, considering that there are a number of diesel powered cars that get more miles per gallon than hybrids, and are cleaner, (have lower emissions per mile driven) than hybrids yet they do not qualify for the "Clean License Plate" -- makes the argument that the hybrid gets an exception because it is cleaner, a bit hypocritical.
I believe we are losing focus on the purpose of the HOV lanes.
What the heck?
What the heck does a hybrid car have to do with high occupancy? The initial plan for out HOV lanes was to get folks to carpool and clear some congestion off our highways. Now H.O.V seems to stand for Hybrid-Only-Cars. :)
Comment deleted
Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Personal attack, name calling
Hybrids in HOV
The HOV lanes also allow motorcycles and any cars outside rush hour, HOV is just a label for the express lane. For every car that's in the HOV lane, that's one less in the regular lane. I bought a hybrid four years ago specifically so I could drive in the HOV lane 24/7. I see violators in the HOV every day...
um why?
What part of driving a hybrid translates to high occupancy vehicle?
Just like they say, if you absolutely have to be there...
Take the HOV and pay the fine, we need the revenue. The difference in price between a hybrid and a regular car can be as much as $20 to 30K. That's a lot of $100 fines.
Really?
The MSRP for a top of the line Toyota Prius is 28,320. MSRP for top of the line Camry is 26,675. The hybrid is $1,645 more.
The average MPG of a new Camry is 27 MPG. Prius is 48 MPG. Prius gets 21 MPG above Camry.
My Prius has 110,00 miles on it. At 21 extra MPG, I've saved 1782 gallons of fuel. At $3.00 per gallon, that's $5,347 still in my pocket.
Maintenance over 6 yrs? Two sets of tires and $110 to replace a water pump.
You do the rest of the math. And - I GET TO DRIVE IN THE HOVs!!!