California extends carpool lane programme for plug-in hybrids
The State of California plans to continue allowing plug-in hybrid vehicles to use carpool lanes, even if they only contain one person. Access to carpool lanes has proven a popular incentive in green vehicle purchases, and as such, the allocation of “green stickers” that allow solo access to the lanes is expected to be extended despite initial plans to end the programme earlier this year.

Of California's many incentives for green cars, one of the most popular is solo access to the state's carpool lanes for drivers of electric cars, plug-in hybrids, and certain other vehicles.

But while California will distribute an unlimited number of "white stickers" for electric cars—as well as vehicles using hydrogen fuel cells and compressed natural gas (CNG)—the number of "green stickers" for plug-in hybrids is limited.

The previous limit of 85,000 "green stickers" was reached several months ago, but new legislation has addressed that.

DON'T MISS: No More California Carpool-Lane Stickers For Plug-In Hybrids (Dec 2015)

A new bill, SB-838, removed the limit on "green stickers" effective September 13, the California Air Resources Board (CARB)—which is in charge of administering the program—confirmed recently.

California will now resume issuing "green stickers" without a set cap until January 1, 2019.

That's when the program expires and all stickers—both green and white—become invalid.

2017 Chevrolet Volt

The total number of green stickers was originally capped at 40,000, but the limit was raised multiple times, most recently when an additional 15,000 decals were added in 2015 on top of the previous 70,000-sticker allotment.

ALSO SEE: CA plug-in carpool-lane access bill up for vote; here's why some oppose it

The green stickers are used for conventional plug-in hybrids, as well as extended-range electric cars like the BMW i3 REx.

SB-838 differs somewhat from another proposed bill—AB-1964—that would have removed the limit on "green stickers," as well as add income caps for new applicants.

2017 Toyota Prius Prime

California previously ran a "yellow sticker" program for hybrids, which ended in 2011.

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The state will need to continue with strong electric-car incentives in order to meet aggressive emissions-reduction goals ratified by lawmakers earlier this year.

Legislation passed last month calls for California to reduce greenhouse-gas emission to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

[hat tip: Al]

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