THE end of one of the most attractive EV ownership benefit programs is set to end in a matter of days, and could cost drivers big.
Those accustomed to certain privileges offered by the program will need to be weary of their driving habits, or cough up $400 fines just for being in the wrong lane.
Highways in over a dozen states are set to get a lot more crowded (stock)[/caption]
Carpoolers will find HOV lanes emptier than usual come October (stock)[/caption]
Solo occupant vehicles still using carpool lanes can be hit with fines of $400 or higher (stock)[/caption]
It was announced earlier this year that the federal government would not be renewing its Clean Air Vehicle Decal program, which allowed solo EV drivers to occupy carpool lanes.
The program will end at midnight on September 30. Stickers do not need to be removed, but their presence on a vehicle will bring no added benefits once the program expires.
This will force the thirteen states that participated in the program to both cease issuance of new decals, and begin ticketing those solo EV drivers who are occupying carpool lanes during restrictive hours.
In most states, these restrictive hours coincide with local rush hours, generally surrounding the 6 to 9 am and 4 to 7 pm timeframes.
Solo drivers, regardless of whether or not they’re in an EV, found occupying these lanes in these restrictive hours face fines of $400 or more depending on the exact state.
States in which decal owners received discounted or free use of tolls or bridges, such as California, will be discontinuing these benefits as well.
Affected states include Arizona, Colorado, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia.
Despite these programs being largely state-run, they still require federal approval through the Environmental Protection Agency.
Some state law enforcement agencies will use discretion in the immediate aftermath to “weigh severity, safety, and context,” per Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bart Graves via Axios Phoenix.
Although California Governor Gavin Newsom introduced legislation to extend the states program through January 1, 2027, this would require federal approval which is unlikely to come.
There is an ongoing effort from bipartisan representatives of multiple states to extend the program, but their efforts have so far been unsuccessful.
“The lane exemption program doesn’t just incentivize the transition to clean energy vehicles, it eases congestion for all drivers,” said Arizona representative Greg Stanton in a press release advocating for the extension.
In California, over 1.2 million decals have been issued since 2000, with over 500,000 active as of August. The return of these half-a-million cars to non-carpool lanes, causing a major increase in congestion.
To use carpool or high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes once the federal program expires, a certain number of passengers will be required in the vehicle, with the exact number varying depending on several factors.
Why aren’t people buying EVs?
In January, many EV makers reported slow demand. Reuters said there are a few valid reasons for a slow in demand:
- High initial costs. Many automakers, like Tesla, Hyundai, and Ford have conducted “price slashes” on their flagship EVs to attract new buyers, though demand remains slow.
- Higher insurance costs. Some insurance companies cite fire risks, high costs of battery replacement, and higher vehicle weight as reasons for higher premiums.
- Charging anxiety. A large percentage of people remain fearful of being in a situation where they won’t be able to charge if they run out of battery due to a lack of infrastructure.
- Range anxiety. In many instances, EVs still don’t have the range and infrastructure of gas-powered vehicles.
- Poor performance in extreme temperatures. Reduced range in extremely hot or cold weather makes potential buyers wary.
Source: Reuters
The carpool benefits of EVs have consistently proven to be one of the strongest selling points of fully electric, various types of hybrid, and alternative fuel vehicles.
“Clean Air Vehicle Decals are a smart, cost-effective incentive that has played an important role driving the adoption of clean and zero-emission vehicles in California,” said chair of the California Air Resources Board Liane Randolph in a statement.
While states without these benefits have also been shown to have strong EV adoption rates, a national study from 2018 showed HOV lane usage to be the most influential incentive for adoption, increasing it by 8.5%.
EV EXTINCTION?
This news comes after President Donald Trump and his administration announced the end of federal tax credits for the purchase of an EV earlier this year.
The United States Senate also set the stage for a battle against California’s goal to reach 100% of new model cars sold in the state being EVs by 2035 by blocking the state’s mandate to phase out gas-powered cars.
Automotive manufacturers are also distancing themselves from self-mandated and externally imposed EV goals, whether they’re in the entry-level or luxury markets.
