Calif. gives hybrid cars free rein in HOV lane

Hybrid cars received a boost on Thursday when California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation allowing certain gas-electric automobiles into high-occupancy commuter lanes with just one occupant.

The law allows drivers of hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight onto the state’s 1,100 miles of highway lanes reserved for cars carrying two or three people during rush hour.

“The governor’s action today brings us a step closer to opening California’s car pool lanes to the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market, helping to clear the air, reduce our dependence on polluting fuels and save motorists precious dollars,” California State Treasurer Phil Angelides said in a statement.

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Critics say the measure could crowd the commuter lanes, which encourage drivers to bring other riders to speed their daily commute. Many towns around San Francisco, for example, have points where drivers pick up passengers whom they do not know so they can ride in the commuter lanes.

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The new law provides 75,000 permits for owners of hybrid vehicles that average at least 45 miles per gallon to drive with only one occupant in carpool lanes. Federal approval is required before the measure can take effect.

Ford Motor Co. had asked Schwarzenegger to reject the measure, which it called a special interest measure to boost the sale of Japanese cars. Ford’s hybrid SUV does not qualify for car pool lanes because it gets about 36 mpg.