Lexus with a Utah C plate??

[Zarniwoop]

A few days ago I saw a gold Lexus SUV with a C clean air license plate. What the heck? There was no CNG symbol on it, so I assume it wasn't a rich person who paid for some conversion kit...

Ever since I saw this, I've wondered what the deal is. Did they steal someone's license plate? Is a C plate what you get when you pay $50/mo to drive in the HOV lane?

Thanks in advance for the facts on this

[Utahbill]

Re: Lexus with a Utah C plate??

I'm assuming it was a hybrid. Previously, hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius were able to get "C" plates but I think that is no longer the case.
I don't know what will become of all the "C" plates, that have already been issued for vehicles that do not use alternative fuels.

Bill

[CNG Utah]

Re: Lexus with a Utah C plate??

I've seen a lot of Hybrids with C plates in Utah. I even saw one once on a Flex Fuel (E85) Taurus. Obviously that shouldn't have had it, unless it had a CNG conversion in it.

[bobmac]

Re: Lexus with a Utah C plate??

Lexus makes a RX 400H Hybrid SUV.

[scott]

Re: Lexus with a Utah C plate??

Hard to see that 400h as a "qualifier". The gas MPG is not that good.

[Steve]

Re: Lexus with a Utah C plate??

I've got to reply. My father-in-law owns a gold Lexus hybrid SUV and he lives in Utah. I don't know if this his car has the C plate or not. Before he bought it, I tried to educate him on the virtues of CNG.

[ch4]

Re: Lexus with a Utah C plate??

In the good'ol (crappy) days most hybrids got 'C' plates. Something to do with the hybrid model getting 25% or so better MPG than the gasoline model.

Here's the old data on the 400h:
Lexus RX 400h Hybrid 2WD, Highlander Hybrid 2WD
33/28
The new estimates are much lower

New MPG tests are more realistic New tests include cold temperature operation, air conditioning use, and higher highway speeds. Click for more information.

Premium Gasoline
27
City

25
Combined

24
Hwy



EPA Air Pollution Score is 8 out of 10. But the hybrids always test good with the old EPA tests.

NOTE: This is for the 2WD only.