This is how to lift the Hybrid exemption !!

from the Washington Post chat:

Woodbridge, Va.: Ms. Morris: Could you specifically address the question of eliminating the exemption prior to 2006? It was asked earlier but your answer did not seem to address that.
Is there at all a possibility that the exemption could be repealed prior to the Jul 2006 expiration? Thanks

Joan Morris: The General Assembly which goes into session next week would have to introduce/pass legislation for it to happen before july 2006. Contact your delegate or senator! And the Governor

Someone on another forum posted the message below. I hope they don't mind me posting it on under this topic. [:I] I think it's important for everyone to see this. [8)]

Del. Michele Mcquigg has posted a survey on her web site about the issue. Let your feelings be known at: http://www.mcquigg.com/survey_hybridhov.asp

quote:

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Originally posted by Man of Reason
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Waggonman, I went to get my emissions checked for my Civic-hybrid a couple of weeks ago…The gas station sent me away…said there isn’t enough emissions to register on the test and because of this the State doesn’t require it for hybrids (not sure if I trust it but that's what they said) …
I think you better fire off another letter to Warner about this[:)]

Waggonman, fyi here’s the latest from the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy….You have tunnel vision with this emission thing which is why your perceived fullproof argument against hybrids falls apart …It’s the “Kwan” that matters; the combination of emissions and fuel economy….That's what separates hybrids...not to mention the technologies spawned from increased demand that will eventually transfer to conventional vehicles down the road..
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6969339/
Top 5
1. Honda Civic GX
2. Honda Insight
3. Toyota Prius
4. Honda Civic Hybrid
5. Toyota Corolla (non-hybrid)

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Your gas station attendant is making stuff up. The reason that hybrids don't get tested is that they'd require a totally different test and the state hasn't spent the time and money figuring one out yet. Hybrids are(were) such a small percentage of cars that it isn't a priority. Same thing goes for diesel cars. Or do you think its because diesel cars also put out so little pollution that it wouldn't register?

As per your comments about the ACEEE. You need to read their methodology in order to understand their ratings. They give equal weight to greenhouses gases as compared to all other air pollutants combined. This skews the results heavily towards high mileage cars. We can estimate the costs associated with regulated air pollutants, we can't with greenhouses gases. Assuming that greenhouse gases will cost as much as all other air pollutants combined is highly suspect in my opinion. In other words, their ratings are crap! Is that what "kwan" means, crap? Just image how much further ahead the CNG car would be is mileage wasn't so unfairly weighted.

I have been in contact with Jim Kliesch of the ACEEE and here is a quote. "So while we're not intentionally hiding the fact that the non-PZEV version of the Civic Hybrid is a bin 9 vehicle, I agree, Honda should be taken to task for making such a fuel efficient vehicle with mediocre tailpipe emissions."

So in the words of someone from the ACEEE, the Civic Hybrid has MEDIOCRE emissions! Something else you may find interesting, bin 9 is going to be eliminated at the end of model year 2006. That means, the Civic hybrid and Insight that are currently sold in Virginia would be too dirty to be sold in 2007. Doesn't that tell you something? Is these cars are so deserving of clean fuel plates how is it that they'd be considered too dirty to sell in only a couple years?

I also admit to your accusation of having tunnel visions with the emissions ratings. I think any car that gets "clean fuel" plates should be clean. Call me crazy!

One last thought, going by the ACEEE green scores do the hybrids all have scores more than triple all other cars? How about double? Nope! So why should they be in the HOVs when their "cleanness" doesn't make up for not having the required 2 or 3 passengers?