Hybrids - a threat to car-pooling?

I wonder if state officials have thought of the long term implications of their policies on "alternative fuel" vehicles. I have read some articles on this and it is my understanding that in the not too distant future, the auto makers will be greatly increasing production of hybrids. Are my fellow slugs aware that soon there will be hybrid sport utes? (Possibly next year). Remember that there is also currently no mileage requirement for HOV - just that it be a "hybrid."

With the rapid advance of technology, it may be difficult in a few years to differentiate between hybrid and conventional.

There are many issues here. My main concern is that the HOV lanes are first and foremost for HOV. At the very minimum, state officials should be careful about stating or implying that any hybrid will qualify as HOV-1 for all time. If the HOV lanes get glommed up, there will need to be changes to the law.

There is another issue that is troubling when one thinks about it. Should anyone be able to essentially buy their way into HOV? We need to preserve the flow of HOV for everyone.

Don't get me wrong - these vehicles are good overall and they currently are not a problem at all. I just wanted to air out some of my thoughts on the long term picture.

Bob

I have check into buying one of the hybrid cars and the law that allows them to drive in the HOV lanes expires in 2004. What will happen after that I do not know.

I agree with Eric. Also, because the idea behind constructing the HOV lanes was to get more cars off the road - first so people wouldn't have to take so brutally long in getting into work, and second - to help the environment, hybrids do not get more cars off the road, and there are serious questions about how the cars help the environment.

I did some internet searching and as I understand it the current law applies through July 2004. So I am a little less concerned in that I assumed that Virginia was telling everyone that these cars would qualify for all time. If anyone knows more on the status of the law on this please post info.

To me, the best approach is to do this incrementally and let people know that if HOV gets glommed up, then the law will have to change perhaps allowing HOV 2 for hybrids. HOV should always have priority.

Bob

There are some volkswagons that get better gas mileage than the hybrid cars. Unfortunately, people who buy hybrid cars are buying for the convenience of driving solo on HOV. I almost bought the hybrid, but then the Toyota Matrix came out and I love it so much - I had to buy one.

I am concerned about HOV congestion as well. It is bad enough that we already have to deal with people getting on HOV through Springfield, but now more frequently with the "clean fuel" cars which are increasing in numbers by day.