Yes, the yellow stickers in CA still expire in about 1 1/2 years. But for some, there's still good news. The rule used to say: Total your 45mpg or better hybrid with stickers, and the stickers go away. Now, they've implemented a process whereby you can get the stickers assigned to a new / another hybrid (see first bullet point) : Clean Air Stickers - High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Usage WOW! Think about it ... a shiny new 2010 with old fashion HOV stickers. Kinda makes you want to hurl your ol' 2004 Prius over the side of the freeway embankment ... baaaah, folks would never do that .
I think this rule has existed for awhile, but your original Prius must be considered a total loss/salvage - so don't half nice person it, you better crash hard just to make sure. Otherwise they might be able to fix it. :madgrin:
You guys are so funny... LOL! I don't have a 2010 OR the stickers... wish I could at least get the stickers!!
I gave up my stickers when I traded my 2005 for the 2010. We don't use them that much in SD so I don't miss it, especially when the sun roof is wide open and the sun (or moon) is shining down on me.
California needs to do away with "HOV" and reassign the lanes as "HFE" (High Fuel Efficiency). This means it doesn't matter how many people are in your car. What matters is your EPA MPG. If you get 45MPG or better, you get to drive in the "special lanes." If you get less than EPA 45MPG, then you aren't allowed in these lanes. (NGV, EV, and other alternative fuel vehicles would be allowed) TIMES HAVE CHANGED, AND CALIFORNIA NEEDS TO REASSIGN THESE LANES! Write your local state congressman!
Well... HOV does still serve a purpose. The more people in the same car, the better. Of course, you can argue that in most cases, people aren't actually carpooling specifically for the HOV lanes, but are simply riding together because they would have anyway. So... I'm not disagreeing, just clarifying, I guess. HFE lanes would definitely be more effective than HOV lanes, but I think you might as well make them HFE/HOV lanes. But yes, definitely make them HFE one way or the other! I want the lane I deserve for being green! Yes! A Prius only lane! Wouldn't that be awesome? :rockon:
So, you are suggesting we up the MPG requirement to 50mpg to exclude Hondas? If the HFE lanes did have a 45mpg requirement, yes at first you would only see Priuses, Insights, and Civic Hybrids, but... I'm sure that three years into the future, you would see a very different picture.
