Feinstein asks for Hybrid HOV waiver

Hybrid drivers in California must wait until Congress approves legislation to permit California to allow them into the State's HOV (carpool) lanes. U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is working to make that happen:

"Hybrid vehicles are the wave of the future, and we should be doing everything we can to encourage their use," Feinstein, D-Calif., said in a statement.

"Changing the law to allow these hybrid vehicles to use diamond lanes certainly makes sense. I hope that the Senate will act on this legislation quickly."

The first day senators can propose legislation is Jan. 24.

Feinstein's proposal would allow California and other states to set their own regulations for allowing hybrid vehicles into the car-pool lanes, which are typically reserved for cars with two or more occupants.

Under California's newly passed law, hybrids achieving a 45 mpg fuel efficiency would qualify -- at this point, only the Toyota Prius and Honda's Civic and Insight.