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SACRAMENTO, California, Untied States?Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) has signed legislation that will allow access to the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) highway lanes for the latest generation of low-emission vehicles, similar to a program that previously allowed some hybrid cars such access.
SB 535, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), provides up to 40,000 advanced technology vehicles, such as plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars, access to the HOV lane during commuting hours starting in 2012 and until 2015. Several car manufactures are launching such vehicles between now and 2012.
In addition, the bill will allow access for total electric vehicles for an additional four years and extend the law that allows access for basic hybrids by an additional six months. Under existing law, the basic hybrid access would expire at the end of this year.
?It is imperative that we find ways to limit our carbon footprint,? said Yee in a news release. ?SB 535 will provide a great incentive for car manufacturers to develop higher emission standards and for individuals to purchase greener vehicles. The governor?s signature of this bill will help jump-start sales of these green vehicles and encourage greater stewardship of our environment.?
The previous HOV access program, which by law will expire at the end of this year, has proven to be a very successful incentive. In fact, the program resulted in the purchase of over 100,000 hybrid cars registered in California.
