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The very last line of CA VC 5205.5 (which allows low emission vehicles in the HOV lanes), says the whole darn thing is repealed at the end of 2010!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

[c0mp13x]

Hmmmm...

Michael, I understand what you are saying, but I always thought the interpretation was that: if you have 2 or more people (babies included!), you qualify for the HOV lane no matter what your driving. But, the code does seem poorly worded and ambiguous. It is strange that the HOV section has to reference the helmet law section for the definition of a large, 3 wheeled vehicle!

In reading the HOV section (5205.5) a little more carefully, the parameter I am more worried about the Typ-1h passing is the ILEV standard. The CA Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition has stated that for all practical purposes, the only vehicles to date that have passed this standard are natural gas or electric. Will the Typ1h be clean enough?

Now.. everyone else in other states, what Vehicle Codes (HOV lanes, helmets etc.) will affect your plans for driving an Aptera?

There's a ton of national research to be done for Steve and the gang...

[jrhubott]

This is quite interesting as the following quote from the Aptera website would appear to be incorrect then.

"You are not required to wear a helmet to drive the Aptera, nor is an endorsement on your drivers license required. Anything in the state of CA with three wheels does not require a motorcycle license and enclosed vehicles with three wheels do not require the use of a helmet. All this and you also get to drive in the HOV lanes!"

One of the reason the Aptera is appealing to me is because I could use the carpool lane for my commute into work. The I5 from San Diego to Oceanside will have a carpool lane the whole way by 2012. The worst area of I805/I5 through Del Mar already has a car pool lane.

We need to clarify if the Aptera 1h or 1e is allowed in the car pool lane with a single occupant and if it is possible to still get a HOV sticker for the 1e. The 1h would not be able to get a HOV sticker as it is a hybrid.

Jason
#1167

[chasmccl]

c0mp13x

Thanks for the occupancy info! From 10 years of commuting in the Bay Area, I have to say that one of my pet PEEVES is counting babies (or anyone too young to drive) as occupants for the HOV lane. The alleged purpose of the legislations was to reduce the # of cars on the road, not to give soccer moms a leg up on getting to day care, which, at times seemed to be its main effect.

'Scuse my rant

Charlie

[Apteratude]

Type 1h hybrid does not qualify for the carpool lane, the type 1e does. No helmets required due to it being an enclosed 3 wheeler over 900 lbs, and seatbelts are required in case anyone was wondering.