Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Schwarzenegger Signs Bill Expanding Access to HOV Lanes

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill, AB 1500 (Lieu), which will allow new low-emission vehicles -- primarily electric vehicles -- access to HOV lanes throughout California no matter how many occupants are riding in the vehicle.

This is good news for Nissan, which plans to release the all-electric Nissan Leaf later this year. The fact that commuters driving a Leaf will be able to drive in California's 1,300 miles of HOV lanes will certainly be a selling point.

A separate California bill, SB 535, would allow plug-in hybrids such as a possible 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid and electric cars with range-extending gasoline engines (such as the 2011 Chevrolet Volt) to access the HOV lanes regardless of passengers. That bill has not yet passed.

Read more here.

John Corcoran is an Associate with Plastiras & Terrizzi law firm in San Rafael, California (Marin County). He advises clients on various small business matters including clean tech and renewable energy, real estate, and general civil litigation. He may be reached at jcorcoran@ptlegal.com or (415) 472-8100 x211.

No comments: