CARMAKERS EYE FEDERAL PUSH TO PREEMPT HYBRID CARPOOL LANE ACCESS

Automakers opposed to a mileage requirement in a bill just passed by the California legislature that opens carpool lanes to some single-occupant hybrid vehicles are preparing to lobby the federal government to preempt the state from enacting the law. California needs federal approval to move forward, though the government has shown little appetite to stop states from imposing similar requirements. Federal regulators have already shown unwillingness to stop Virginia from illegally allowing hybrids to travel in high occupancy vehicle (HOV)...