Guess what are clogging HOV lanes? Popular hybrids.

• Position: Trends And Transitions - High occupancy vehicle lanes - Brief Article

As hybrid vehicles become more popular, Virginia's carpool lanes are increasingly congested.

Virginia is one of a handful of states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida and Georgia) to allow hybrid vehicles with only one driver access to High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) carpool lanes as an incentive to purchase these low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles. The result of a detailed study of carpool lanes on Interstate 9S illustrated close to triple the number of hybrids in carpool lanes from spring to October of last year.

The Electric Drive Transportation Association identifies the Washington, D.C., area as the country's leading market for hybrids behind California. Virginia's hybrid exemption is due to expire in June 2006. The state's HOV task force--comprised of transportation officials and experts--urged legislators not...