Self-Defeating Proposal for Hybrid Vehicles

I share Robert Poole’s view regarding hybrid vehicles in carpool lanes (Commentary, April 14). I purchased my hybrid vehicle for a couple of reasons: great gas mileage and the idea that I could be part of the environmental solution rather than being a contributor to the problem. Allowing single drivers of hybrid cars the use of carpool lanes as an incentive to increase sales of low-emission vehicles is a self-defeating notion.

How can we improve our air quality by creating more congestion on our highways? People who purchase hybrid vehicles are already making an environmentally responsible choice. I wonder how many of them would take advantage of a privilege that ultimately added to traffic congestion, travel time and, subsequently, to the emissions put out by the majority of conventional vehicles around them?

Charlie Fox

Rancho Palos Verdes