hybrids get them off HOV

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Originally posted by N_or_S_bound
[br]Very astute WM.

Now, they know (in concert with the oil industry) that to make more $$ they need to get on the "take" from Uncle Sam and he helps assist with demand plus provides incentives for already overpriced technology when there are viable, real clean fuel alternatives that simply need the market support.

NoSb

SOV because you can, HOV because you care!

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On the state level a lot of the hybrid "push" is from the car dealers themselves. They are a significant political force and they love being able to charge over MSRP for vehicles. Ever look at any campaign financial disclosures for delegates and state senators?

Is there any point in arguing with NoSUV? Go teach a pig to sing instead.

Sad thing is, all this bickering is moot. The Va. legislature is almost certainly going to extend the exemption. How on earth could they not? Most of the public would see a vote against hybrids as a vote FOR the oil industry. Ridesharers know the unintended consequences of clogging the HOV with hybrids; consequences that not-very-intelligent folks like NoSUV have trouble grasping.

Like toll roads, the exemption is available only to those who can afford it: seen any poor folk driving hybrids? That $5G premium isn't an option for most people. Only selfish pigs who want to take advantage of the HOV are buying high-breds.

Sponge,

Very astute. What legislator will vote to not extend the exemption in the face of recent events? You can bet the auto manufacturers are going to exploit the latest tragedies to increase their profitability. Selling more over-priced hybrids under false pretenses will do what they need to do for their shareholders.

NoSb

SOV because you can, HOV because you care!

Yeah, there might be a couple of secretaries who choose to buy high-breds. There are far, far more people who look at the $5,000 premium on the vehicles and shake their head; they can't afford that additional amount and don't see why they should pay it.

Remember, MOST people do their daily driving on county roads. If Virginia were serious about high-breds for their alleged pollution-reducing value, they would have created a state-wide incentive, rather than an incentive only for a handful of NoVa and Hampton Roads commuters.

NoSUV is incorrect: there is no connection between the exemption and the toll roads. High-breds are not even mentioned anywhere in either of the two proposals. There is a zero percent chance high-breds will be given a free or reduced-fare ride on the toll roads, for the same reason carpools won't: it can't be done technically and it reduces the road's revenue for its owners.

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Originally posted by raymond
[br]HOV and Slugging provides several benefits: 1. reduces congestion, 2. reduces polution, 3. reduces gas consumption and reliance on fossil fuels, 4. provides an economical commute alternative for the suburban masses.

Hybrids compromise on these benefits: 1. single drivers increase congestion, 2. they still burn gas so they still contribute to polution, 3. they burn gas so they do not reduce our reliance on fossils fuels, 4. they are premium priced vehicles not economically friendly.

The question is do hybrid owners need an HOV exemption? Or do the auto makers? Of course Hybrid owners could pick up riders. Hey, what a great idea! I love Hybrid owners who also pick up slugs! Think about all the positives!

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But, as we found out with Katrina, WE MUST DO MORE to reduce comsumption - and hybrids are better than non-hybrid vehicles. Were it not for the HOV exemption, is there any question in anybody's mind that we would have LESS hybrids in this region?

We must do whatever it takes to get more hybrids on the road - and that means extending the exemption.