Feds may block Hybrid Carpool bill

Last week, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation allowing hybrid automobiles to drive in the State's carpool (HOV) lanes. But the Federal Government may have something to say about the plan:

The law signed Sept. 23 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger allows drivers of hybrid vehicles that achieve 45 miles per gallon to use the car-pool lanes without having to meet the current two-occupant rule.

But Congress also has to approve the law because federal money is used to fund the lanes for high-occupancy vehicles, or HOVs. And provisions of the law are tied up in the multibillion-dollar highway spending bill that may not be voted on for months.

Automakers are lobbying hard against the current proposal. They want the law broadened to include hybrids just now coming onto the market that don't yet meet the 45 mpg requirement.

"Whether or not it will survive is up in the air," said Mike Stanton of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents nine carmakers including Ford and Toyota.

Good luck getting anything through Congress.