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Ford Focus EV Qualifies for HOV-Lane Access in California

Buyers of the electric vehicle also get a $2,500 rebate through a new incentive.

By Claire_Martin Mar 12, 2012 2:00PM
The Ford Focus EV. Photo by Ford.The new darling of the burgeoning electric-car industry, the Ford Focus EV, has been approved for single-occupancy use in California's HOV lanes. The Focus EV gets 105 mpge (miles per gallon equivalent), making it the third-most-efficient​ electric vehicle on the market after the Mitsubishi i (112 mpge) and the Tesla Roadster (119 mpge). Focus EV buyers now also qualify for a $2,500 rebate through the state's Clean Vehicle Rebate Program; this comes in addition to a $7,500 federal tax credit.

The Focus EV joins the Honda Civic Natural Gas and the Chevy Volt in gaining HOV-lane approval in California, which is one of four states that allow car-pool lanes to be used by single-occupancy drivers of low-emission vehicles. It was made possible through the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, enacted in 1998. Virginia, New York and Arizona are the other three states that take advantage of it, with drivers in Phoenix, on New York's Long Island Expressway, in Northern Virginia and throughout California using the benefit. 

According to Hybrid Cars, Ford is hoping to get its other electric vehicles, including the 2013 Fusion Energi and 2013 C-Max Energi, both plug-in hybrids, approved for the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program later this year and in 2013.
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12Comments
willworkforfood
Mar 17, 2012 6:49AM
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hey fed and state.  gives us an instant rebate credit and maybe i'll think about buying this car. 
Michael824
Mar 17, 2012 3:25AM
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Not bad...now if it only would be affordable....why would the average Joe pay upwards of $45000 for this car when it should be priced half that so that the public can afford it?  What is the sense of carrying a $700 plus monthly car payment so that you can save at the pump and be more environmentally responsible when today's economy has everyone tightening their belts?
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