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Trends, Hybrids/Alternative

So you’ve heard that hybrids will possibly be able to use California car pool lanes even if they’re lacking theappropriate number of passengers? Well, it’s time for a new perk: Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn has announced a proposalto make city parking free for hybrid vehicles. Initially, hybrid owners will require no verification for theirvehicles, as parking enforcement officers will be trained to recognize hybrids, but later, if California includeshybrids as “Clean Air Vehicles” along with their electric and natural gas counterparts, certification may be required.Hybrid owners are still expected to respect posted parking time limits. Some have wondered if it will be possible tomake non-hybrids appear to be hybrids via “rebadging.” Um, yes, it will be quite possible. So keep an eye out for blackmarket Prius badges on eBay.

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