A long-standing policy in California allowing electric vehicles (EVs) to access high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes without additional passengers is set to expire on September 30th, 2025, unless extended. The federal law that enabled the program was originally enacted in 1998 to encourage the adoption of clean vehicles, and has seen a surge of interest in recent years. However, the policy is now under threat amid broader efforts to eliminate electric vehicle incentives.
Per a report from Automotive News, which cites data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), 194,486 Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals were issued in 2024, a 52-percent increase compared to 2023. While the program has been a useful incentive for EV ownership, the surge in participation has led to congestion in carpool lanes, reducing their original intended use in alleviating traffic.
Republican State Assembly member Greg Wallis has introduced a proposal to extend the program until January 1th, 2027, but it requires federal approval. Supporters argue that carpool lane access remains a valuable incentive for EV adoption, particularly as EV sales growth slows. Organizations like CALSTART, a clean transportation advocacy group, believe extending the policy would help sustain EV momentum in the state.
Meanwhile, critics argue that the program undermines the core purpose of HOV lanes, which is to reduce congestion. One alternative approach would be the implementation of tolls for EVs in carpool lanes.
The potential loss of HOV lane access for California EVs comes amid a politically uncertain landscape for EV incentives in general. The Trump administration has already proposed eliminating the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, while some lawmakers aim to revoke California’s waiver that allows the state to set stricter emissions standards.
Nevertheless, air pollution specialist at the California Air Resource Board’s (CARB) communications office, John Swanton, believes that the impact of HOV restrictions may have a limited impact on EV adoption, stating that that few buyers today choose EVs solely for HOV access.
Comments
We bought our Lyriq specifically for HOV access as my wife commutes alone to work. We charge only at home and use a PHEV or an ICE car for all other travel. If no HOV access, we would not buy an EV again.
I now have 3 EVs (in Arizona) my car, my truck, and my wife’s car. HOV access is fairly minor for me; I would have a hard time buying another ICE vehicle HOV access or not. Now, I realize that others may feel differently; that’s just my situation. However, last time I drove in So Cal HOV lanes (Thursday afternoon) they were slower than the regular lanes! In fact, I found the So Cal traffic so bad that, when I have business in the LA area, I plan my trip so that I’m not heading back to AZ on a Thursday or Friday afternoon. If I can’t leave by noon, I’ll stay til Saturday.
I remember some people were of the opinion a year or two ago that EV mandates were here to stay and even were President Trump to win the election that the auto companies have decided, but wow, what a turnaround. Now the turn away from EVs almost appears bipartisan.
You may have missed that HOV access might be limited as EV’s have essentially gotten too popular, congesting those lanes. We’ll see if those sales percentages hold, but EV’s aren’t going away.
Hopefully deleted diesels will be given HOV access.
HOV lanes are a joke in the Los Angeles area. I see gas powered vehicles with one occupant in the carpool lanes every time I drive the freeway. People move in and out of them at will. The California Highway Patrol is rarely seen on our freeways.
I’ve driven in CA. The HOV lanes are a joke. People move in and out of them at will regardless of whether they are legally allowed to be in them. And the last time I was in CA, while I was legally allowed to use the HOV lanes, most of the time I didn’t. The HOV lanes were over crowded and slower than the regular lanes. Hence, why everyone moves in and out of them at will.
I have read that scientist pretty much agree that EVs cause as much pollution as ICE vehicles. The big problem is charging, especially daytime charging. The Ozone created can be significantly reduced by charging EVs only at night. It should become a law in high pollution registering states.