Time Running Out for New Hybrid Owners, HOV

A lot of people have bought hybrid cars to save on gas, but if you're thinking of getting a hybrid so you can drive in HOV lanes, time is running out -- you now have less than two months.

Sales of hybrids have soared in recent years, after a decision was made to allow the gas-saving vehicles in Virginia's High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. But the hybrids are a victim of their own success.

"We have seen an absolute explosion in the number of hybrids out there since about 2004," says Joan Morris, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transportation.

So many people began driving them that carpoolers started to complain they were clogging highway lanes in northern Virginia. VDOT figures indicate about a quarter of the vehicles using the HOV lanes along the I-95/I-395 corridor are hybrids.

Gov. Tim Kaine recently signed into law legislation that puts a cap on hybrids driving along that corridor. Hybrids registered after June 30 will not be able to use HOV lanes on I-95 and I-395. The new law goes into effect July 1.

Cars registered in Virginia after that date will have a different license plate than the current hybrids have. That will help state police identify the newer vehicles, if drivers try to enter HOV lanes on I-95 and I-395.

"We've seen a definite increase in congestion (in) the lanes over the past few years," Morris says, adding that it's not just due to hybrids, but an increase in car poolers as well as HOV violators.

Hybrids will still be allowed to use HOV lanes on I-66 and the Dulles Toll road after the new law goes into effect.

More than 12,000 hybrids and other clean fuel vehicles are registered in Virginia. The vast majority are in northern Virginia.

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