The news is a little bit old - but I thought it was worth adding to my continuing series on the innovative ways that local government authorities are rewarding hybrid car owners.

Drivers of hybrid vehicles along the New Jersey Turnpike are allowed to use the high occupancy vehicle (more than 3 people) lanes even when they are the only people driving in the car.

This is interesting - primarily because it represents a subtly different way for government organisation to encourage hybrid vehicle uptake. Instead of immediate tax credits, or lower fuel costs - this is an attempt to make vehicle ownership attractive as part of offering lifestyle benefits.

If you have ever driven on the Turnpike during peak hour you should be definitely able to emphathise with the attractiveness of this kind of offer!

Hopefully this will not be the last such move by American authorities.


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