[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E728-E729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      OPERATION OF HYBRID VEHICLES IN HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANES

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation that would allow the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue 
permitting hybrid automobiles with a single occupant to use High 
Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes in the state. Virginia's General Assembly 
passed legislation allowing hybrids to use HOV lanes in order to 
encourage

[[Page E729]]

the purchase of these low emission vehicles. This policy has been very 
successful, as Northern Virginia has achieved rates of hybrid ownership 
that are among the highest in the country.
  Hybrid ownership is important because most families take ten vehicle 
trips per day; when a family purchases a hybrid they not only reduce 
emissions during daily commutes but also during errands and other 
trips. Moreover, the purchase of hybrids helps create greater demand 
for these vehicles, expediting the rate at which car companies can 
reach economies of scale in hybrid production.
  Data on lane usage of HOV lanes in Northern Virginia show that 60% of 
the vehicles in HOV lanes have 2 passengers, 20% are violators, and 20% 
are single occupant hybrids. Before prohibiting hybrids from using HOV 
lanes, we must enhance law enforcement to discourage cheaters from 
using these lanes.
  Without passage of this legislation, federal law will pre-empt the 
General Assembly from having the authority to allow hybrids to use HOV 
lanes. It would be unfortunate if lack of federal action precluded the 
state from continuing a policy that has been so successful.

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