WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing criteria for certifying vehicles as clean and energy efficient to guide states that choose to allow such vehicles on high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes — even when the vehicles have only one occupant, according to the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA). The proposal, which was required by The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), applies to cars, SUVs, vans, and trucks below 8,500 pounds. To be eligible for the HOV exemption, these vehicles would be required to meet specifications for both low emissions and energy-efficiency.

To be considered energy efficient, EPA proposes that a vehicle would have to be either a dedicated alternative-fuel vehicle or a hybrid vehicle achieving 50 percent or better in-city fuel economy or 25 percent or better in combined city/highway fuel economy compared to a similar gasoline fueled vehicle, according to NAFA.

For more information on the EPA’s proposal, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/ld-hwy.htm.