Aptera on the Carpool (HOV) lane in California

[butter]

I know that on the Aptera website somewhere it's stated that because the Aptera will be a 3-wheeler, it will be legally allowed to use the California carpool lanes -- with or without any Prius-type low-emission sticker permit.

But is this really really true?

Does anybody know?

I tried googling this but I must be braindead, cause I didn't find anything to my satisfaction.

Thanks ahead of time,
Amy

[RoxChkPlusOny]

All motorcycles can ride in HOV lanes. If you go down the freeway, you'll see the diamond and will say carpool. It may describe whether carpool means 2 or 3 people per car, and usually at the bottom will also say "Motorcycles OK"

[c0mp13x]

Well... bad news, good news, good news and then some more bad news. Unless I'm interpreting the CA vehicle code wrong, please let me know...


Bad news 1

Large, fully enclosed 3 wheelers with only a driver in the vehicle, do not generally qualify to drive in the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes per CA Vehicle Code 21714(a). In addition, 21714(b)(2) also states you shall not split lanes in your Aptera .

CA Vehicle Code Sec 21714


Good news 1

CA VC 27803(f) confirms that large, fully enclosed 3 wheel drivers and passengers are not required to wear helmets. This section also defines a large, fully enclosed 3 wheel vehicle.

CA Vehicle Code Sec 27803


Good news 2

Per CA VC 5205.5(a)(1) the Typ-1e qualifies as a SULEV (Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle), and the Typ-1h will probably not qualify. This gets the Typ-1e a sticker and allows that vehicle in the HOV lanes.

CA Vehicle Code Sec 5205.5


Bad news 2

The very last line of CA VC 5205.5 (which allows low emission vehicles in the HOV lanes), says the whole darn thing is repealed at the end of 2010!

Holy glass slipper Batman, get those stickers before the clock strikes 12!!!

[palmer_md]

Everything looks correct to me with the following addition:

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

California law allows single-occupant use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOVs) lanes by certain alternative fuel, clean hybrid, and full-electric vehicles. Use of these lanes with only one occupant requires an identification sticker issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Hybrid vehicles are currently limited to a maximum number, and as of February 20, 2007 all of the HOV lane stickers have been issued for hybrids. The program for hybrids is officially closed.

Sorry, but it seems as if all the HOV stickers are out. You'll have to by a used car to get the stickers. Fortunetly for me I dont live in an area that has or needs HOV lanes, so I dont need them except when I drive to LA or SF, and then I usually have passengers, so I can drive in them anyway.

Regards,
Michael

[c0mp13x]

Nice find palmer_md, thanks...

Per the first line of your quoted text, I read that to mean if the Typ1h can qualify as a "clean" hybrid (SULEV), that it will be issued a HOV sticker.

I believe the general statement "The program for hybrids is officially closed" is meant to ward off the thousands of new Prius owners that want to get HOV stickers. Used Prius(es?) with HOV stickers here in SoCal command a premium ($500-$2k) over those cars without the stickers!

[palmer_md]

My understanding was that there are no stickers to be issued to anyone because they were only allotted a number of stickers and they have all been issued. The next item up for interpretation is what do they mean the program is done on Jan 1, 2011. Does that mean that all those cars with the stickers can no longer run in the HOV lanes? This is my interpretation.

The big surprise for me that you found was that a 3 wheeled vehicle is not allowed to run in the HOV lane without high occupancy. Because it is registered as a motorcycle and motorcycles are allowed, I think most of us assumed that it would be allowed in the HOV lanes, but with the code you discovered we wont be able to run in that lane even if we have high occupancy (a passenger) or full occupancy (passenger plus baby in baby seat). What I dont understand is how you can have a code written such that you are completely banned from the HOV lane even if you have full occupancy. Thats what it looks like this code is saying.

Michael

[esmith]

As far as I can tell, the INTENT of section 21714 is to say that enclosed three-wheeled vehicles above certain size, while technically motorcycles, should be treated like cars with respect to HOV lane laws.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/po... thor=frusetta

Prior to this bill, Aptera would've been treated as a motorcycle for all intents and purposes (can ride in carpool lanes, drivers must wear helmets). Manufacturers of a vehicle called Corbin Sparrow petitioned the government to drop the helmet requirement. That did happen, but, at some point someone decided to "clarify" that big 3-wheelers have no business riding in carpool lanes.

[garygid]

It still looks like the Aptera is currently banned from using the HOV lanes,
even with two occupants, or "full occupancy".

Hopefully Aptera is trying to do something about this situation.

[Shooty]

Howdy y'all. My optimism regarding the HOV situation has been rekindled. I contacted Aptera about this issue, specifically regarding the use of the HOV lane with a solo driver in the hybrid Aptera. I received a very cordial email, and was assured that I WILL be able to drive solo-hybrid in the HOV lane. No further details, except that more information will be forthcoming when production starts.

So, I am guardedly presuming that SOMETHING has been worked out between the Aptera lawyers and th State -- some kind of an exception... maybe a new sticker program... or maybe a persuasive interpretation under the current law... who knows? Maybe the State is waiting for Aptera to meet some kind of structural/engine/emissions specification, and this could be the reason that they need to wait for production time in order to make this official?

Just guessing... but the email from Aptera sounds very encouraging!

-Shooty

[garygid]

Now that is the kind of good, positive optimism that we need, Thanks.
HOV, here I come!