Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will
hybrids be allowed access to Colorado 's HOV lanes?
Starting May 15, 2008 the Colorado Department
of Transportation's (CDOT) hybrid vehicle program will allow owners of
qualifying Hybrid Vehicles to apply for a permit to use High Occupancy
Vehicle (“HOV”) lanes and High Occupancy Toll (“HOT”) lanes. Qualifying
vehicles must display the required HOV exemption decal and
transponder.
How many permits are going to be
issued?
Initially 2000 permits will be issued and will be accepted online and
through mail. Facilities will be monitored to ensure minimal impacts to
high occupancy vehicles and after a period of time will be reevaluated
to see if additional permits may be issued.
What will be required to obtain a
permit?
The owner of a hybrid vehicle must submit an application, approved and
issued by the CDOT that contains the hybrid vehicle owner's name, the
license plate number, the vehicle identification number of the hybrid
vehicle and the hybrid vehicle make and year as a condition to
obtaining a permit. If you are selected, CDOT will issue an identifying
decal and the selected applicants will be required to obtain an
EXpressToll transponder and set up the required deposit that allows for
the use of qualifying hybrid vehicles in HOV and express lanes. There
is no cost to obtain a permit. The EXpressToll transponder account may
be utilized to implement tolling upon hybrid vehicles in the event
degradation of travel speed occurs in HOV and express lanes. Your
EXpressToll transponder account will NOT be charged without advance
notice and you will first be given the opportunity to cancel your
account and return your transponder. This deposit is also necessary to
provide payment for tolls if traveling on E-470 or the Northwest
Parkway and will be refunded at the time the account is closed if no
travel on either of those roadways occurs. If you already have an
EXpressToll account, you must still fill out the hybrid permit
application. If selected, your account will be modified to allow for
free travel on the I-25 Express Lanes, providing speed degradation does
not occur due to the facility being over capacity. You will still be
allowed to keep your original transponder.
Why
are you only issuing 2000 permits?
Federal law only allows hybrids in HOV/HOT lanes as long as travel
speeds in the HOV/HOT lanes are not degraded. CDOT is allowing a
limited number of hybrids in order to monitor the traffic flow. If
capacity allows, more hybrids may be permitted as long as HOVs and
buses are not impacted.
Where do I apply?
Applications will be accepted online
Or, download the printable
application form.
Alternatively, you can either call or stop by in person to get a copy
of the form.
The phone number and address are listed below.
Completed applications can be mailed to:
Colorado Department of
Transportation
Attn: Hybrid Permits
4201 E. Arkansas Ave., Room 290
Denver , CO 80222
Phone: (303) 757-9716
What types of hybrids will qualify?
Hybrid Vehicle(s)” are light duty vehicles and light duty trucks up to
8500 lbs:
It must be certified by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency as low emission vehicles meeting emission
standards
The unadjusted city fuel economy of the
vehicle must be at least 50 percent higher than the city fuel economy
of a comparable gasoline-fueled vehicle
The unadjusted combined city-highway fuel
economy of the vehicle must be at least 25 percent higher than the
unadjusted combined city-highway fuel economy of a comparable
gasoline-fueled vehicle
For Hybrid Vehicles with no similar gasoline
counterpart, the Department of Transportation will determine the
candidate vehicles by calculating the median unadjusted city fuel
economy values for all gasoline vehicles in the same comparable vehicle
class as defined in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's annual
Fuel Economy Guide, jointly published by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The Department of
Transportation will compare the unadjusted city fuel economy value of
the candidate Hybrid Vehicle, as determined under 40 CFR 600.207-93, to
the median unadjusted city fuel economy for the comparison vehicle in
the same vehicle class.
The Environmental Protection Agency has
completed a draft list of vehicles that will be used to determine
eligibility. For specific types of vehicles, visit: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/ld-hwy/hov/420d10002.pdf
When will
the permits expire?
Federal law currently authorizes use of HOV lanes by qualifying low
emission and energy-efficient vehicles through December 31, 2010
(extended from Sept. 30, 2009). Permits will expire at that time unless
federal authorization of Hybrid Vehicles use of HOV and HOT lanes is
extended. However, CDOT reserves the right to cancel permits should
travel times in any of the corridors as determined by performance
monitoring plans.
What highways with HOV lanes will my permit
allow me to travel?
I-25 Express Lanes, US 36, Santa Fe Drive and State Highway
82
Hybrids will not be allowed free travel on E-470 or the Northwest
Parkway nor will they be allowed to travel on the HOV/diamond ramp
lanes that exist along select highways. If travel times degrade,
permits may be cancelled or charges may apply if traveling on the I-25
Express Lanes with only one occupant.
Will my hybrid vehicle allow for free travel on
E-470 or the Northwest Parkway?
Even with an EXpressToll® transponder, hybrids must still pay tolls if
traveling on E-470 or the Northwest Parkway because they are not
tax-funded highways. However, a hybrid ExpressToll® account will not be
charged if traveling on the I-25 Express Lanes or on other Colorado HOV
highways.
Will I still get to keep my permit if I sell my
hybrid?
Hybrid permits are nontransferable. Permit decals may not be sold,
assigned, used or moved to a vehicle other than the original hybrid
vehicle to which the sticker was assigned. Upon transfer of title of
the original hybrid vehicle to another owner or expiration of the
permit, the decal must be removed from the vehicle and returned to
CDOT.
Transponders may not be sold, assigned, used
or moved to a vehicle other than the original hybrid vehicle to which
the transponder was assigned. Upon transfer of title of the original
hybrid vehicle to another owner, the transponder must be returned to
ExpressToll® unless you choose to change to a non-hybrid account.
What if I already have an
EXpressToll® transponder account?
A hybrid permit application will still be required. If selected, your
account will be modified to allow for free travel on the I-25 Express
Lanes. You will still be allowed to keep your original transponder.
Why are transponders
required?
Transponders will be used for data collection purposes to monitor
traffic flow and capacity in the HOV lanes.
What
lane should I be in when I pass through the toll collection point on
the I-25 Express Lanes?
You may be in either lane but it is preferred that you travel in the
lane marked “toll” as there are fewer vehicles in that lane.
Additionally, your chances of being pulled over by law enforcement
decrease as that is the lane in which vehicles with only one occupant
travel.
Hybrids
