Electric cars now have the golden ticket

This is a big departure for the program, which until a few months ago, allowed only Priuses, Honda Civic hybrids and Honda Insights to apply. Other efficient cars, including the Chevy Volt, had to stay in regular lanes with gas guzzlers.

Now, Volts are in, as are Ford Fusion Energis, Porsche Panameras and a handful of other plug-in vehicles. Non-plug-in Priuses are out.