California Again Running Out Of Green Carpool Stickers For Plug-In Hybrids
SACRAMENTO (CBS SF) – For the second time this year, state officials announced that they are running low on the number of green HOV stickers that allow drivers of plug-in hybrids to use the carpool lane solo.
According to the California Air Resources Board, 80,876 stickers were issued as of November 17th. The state can only issue up to 85,000 decals unless the state legislature raises the limit.
Earlier this year, lawmakers raised the cap to 85,000 stickers from 70,000 after CARB announced in May that they had fewer than 4,000 carpool stickers available.
CARB said vehicles eligible for the green stickers include the Chevrolet Volt, the Ford Fusion Energi and the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. With them, drivers can use the carpool lane without any passengers until they expire on January 1, 2019.
Drivers of fully-electric, natural gas and hydrogen cars are eligible for a white HOV sticker that gives solo drivers carpool lane access. The state does not have any limits on these stickers.
Tim Fang is a digital producer for CBS San Francisco. A native of the Bay Area, follow him on Twitter @fangtj.
