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As an added incentive for motorists to buy hybrid cars, some states have initiated
legislation to allow drivers of HEVs to travel in carpool lanes. Several states are
seeking federal approval, although the Federal Highway Administration hasn't issued
an agreement yet. However, some states such as Florida, Georgia and Virginia are
already allowing hybrid vehicles with one or more drivers admittance to the High
Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. Rulings on hybrid cars are changing daily, so check
with your state's highway department regularly to see what your state is offering.
Nickel-hydride battery pack
Courtesy of Ford Motor Company
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All new motor vehicles produced today must meet the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) emissions standards. Among some of the conditions are laboratory tests
performed by the automakers on pre-production vehicles to measure emissions and
having a fuel economy label posted on the sticker of new cars. (see
www.epa.gov/otaq/standards.htm for more detail).
Vehicles sold in California must
also meet those requirements set by the California Air Resources Board. Several other
states have implemented California's directives.
In December of 1997, many world nations met in Kyoto, Japan to establish a treaty to
regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Called the Kyoto Protocol, the resulting treaty,
ratified by all the leading industrial nations except the U.S., required the more
prosperous nations to show the way in reduction of emissions by the years 2008-2012.
Greener cars, producing less toxic emissions, like the current crop of hybrids, can
help achieve this goal.
Resources
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