About 27% of early Volt owners are using the hybrid for small enough commutes to run Volt entirely on electricity, according to GM.
General Motors has announced a low emissions package that qualifies the 2012 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid to use California’s High Occupancy Vehicle traffic lanes. It will be standard on all models sold in California next year, but not available in the other 49 states. Volt’s one-price policy, currently starting at $41,000 before subsidies and rebates, will remain in effect in all states
Owners of a 2012 Volt with the low emissions package (it’s a more expensive catalytic converter and an additional air pump that injects oxygen into the exhaust) will be eligible in the early spring of next year to apply for one of 40,000 HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane stickers issued to vehicles that qualify as a California Enhanced, Advanced Technology – Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle.
The new low emissions package makes owners of the 2012 Chevrolet Volt eligible for up to $1,500 in state rebates through the California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. This taxpayer provided subsidy is in addition to the federal government’s $7,500 tax credit.
This is nothing more than a subsidy for the wealthy, according to critics, since it allows single occupant vehicles access to more than 1,400 miles of California HOV lanes. The subsidy is crucial to the sales of the Nissan Leaf EV, Honda Civic Natural Gas, Smart ForTwo EV, and Tesla roadster, as well as upcoming plug-in hybrids from Cadillac, Ford and Toyota, among others.
There are more than 140 Chevrolet Volt dealers in California, but Chevrolet won’t release its sales projections for the state, which as the largest car market in the nation is vital for Volt sales.(For more information and a complete list of qualifying clean air vehicles, go to: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/carpool/carpool.htm#FAQ
Originally, these HOV lanes were restricted to vehicles with two or more occupants, but the controversial program was modified to allow single driver use of HOV lanes. Supporters say this is a way to encourage early adoption of advanced, low emission vehicles. Detractors say that the government is interfering in the marketplace by picking winner – state and Federal policies should be technology neutral.
“HOV lane access is a coveted perk in California,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. “The low-emissions Volt will be a strong draw for drivers who commute daily in the most-congested driving environments in the United States.”
About 27% of early Volt owners are using the hybrid for small enough commutes to run Volt entirely on electricity, according to GM.
See:
- California High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes Closed to Hybrids. CNG, Electric Vehicles Now Picked as Winners by Government
- Ford Taking Orders for 2012 Focus Electric at $39,995
- Toyota Prices 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid at $32,760 and $40,285
- GM and SAIC to Develop New Electric Vehicle in China with U.S. Taxpayer Supported GM’s EV Knowledge and Technology
