California’s carpool lanes will soon see some new additions. GM's latest hybrid electric plug -in model is being shipped to dealers this week.
The 2012 GM Chevy Volt, which sells for $39,145 before state and federal tax credits, meets California’s clean car air standards and qualifies customers to drive solo in the state’s carpool lanes. The new model will also be eligible for a $1500 state tax credit. The current hybrid plug- in Volt does not include the low emissions package which is now standard for California.
Don’t expect to see drivers of the new model commuting solo in the carpool lane just yet. It takes about two months for those high occupancy white stickers to arrive once a customer has applied with the DMV.
California has the largest share of the Volt market and is likely to be ground zero for another low emission car that is also just beginning to arrive at dealerships, the 2012 Toyota Prius plug-in. The base MSRP for the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is $32,000. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid Advanced has an MSRP of $39,525. Subtract from that up to $4,000 in state and federal tax credits.