Hybrid cars lost their privileged right to travel in carpool lanes in California on Friday as the law which allowed them to travel in the often quieter lane was revoked.
That right will now be reserved for plug-in hybrids, fully electric cars and compressed natural gas vehicles which will be able to join the lane populated by vehicles carrying two passengers or more.
The new rules are designed to encourage motorists to buy the lowest emission forms of transport and encourage car sharing.
Hybrid owners were understandably disappointed to learn that they would no longer be allowed in the special lanes and now must join the regular highway lanes.
According to the Los Angeles Times however, carpoolers were delighted to see hybrid owners kicked out.
Fred Crane, who has carpooled for about seven years, told the newspaper: "I figure it’s cheating — like, ‘Why do they get the special pass?’ Plus there’s a gazillion hybrids on the road now," he said.
Adding: “Carpoolers are the ones really making an impact by relieving traffic and saving mileage by having three people in the car. We figure we’re doing the admirable thing and those guys are kind of cheating."
What do you think, should hybrid cars have access to Carpool Lane, or should they be reserved for genuine car sharers? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
