California Running Low On Green HOV Stickers For Plug-In Hybrids

SACRAMENTO (CBS SF) – California drivers who are interested in buying a plug-in hybrid to take advantage of driving solo in the carpool lane are running out of time to receive clean air stickers from the state.

According to the California Air Resources Board, 66,255 of 70,000 available green stickers have been issued as of May 11th. Plug-in hybrids such as the Chevrolet Volt, Ford C-Max Energi and Toyota Prius Plug-In are eligible for the stickers.

With the green stickers, solo drivers can use the carpool lane until they expire on January 1, 2019.

Plug-in hybrid drivers who want the stickers may be in luck soon. San Jose Mercury News columnist Gary Richards said legislation could raise the cap of green stickers to 85,000.

White clean air carpool stickers are also available to drivers of fully-electric, hydrogen and natural gas vehicles. Currently, the state has no limits for these stickers.