California EV Owners Face Potential $490 Fine Due to New Driving Regulations | Carscoops

      California drivers will now receive tickets following the termination of carpool lane privileges for EV users as the EV decal program comes to a close.

      As of December 1, drivers risking the use of HOV lanes without the proper access might face fines. Enforcement will begin after a 60-day grace period for local drivers.

      For over 25 years, California has positioned itself as a leader in electric mobility, successfully blending environmental values with car culture along its freeways. The state has provided various incentives for EV adoption, including tax credits and special lane access.

      A key benefit was the allowance for solo drivers of qualifying EVs to utilize carpool lanes, enabling them to bypass traffic congestion with ease. However, this privilege has now ended.

      For more than two decades, states have had the authority to decide if EV drivers could access carpool lanes designated for vehicles with at least one passenger. California clearly indicated its support for this privilege early on by awarding eligible drivers unique Clean Air Vehicle stickers that allowed solo travel in these lanes.

      This arrangement changed when the Trump administration opted not to renew the federal authorization that sustained the state’s exemption. The expiration date was October 1, and once that authorization lapsed, the automatic right for solo EVs to use carpool lanes was revoked.

      Following this, the California Highway Patrol allowed a 60-day grace period for drivers to adapt to the new regulations. Starting December 1, law enforcement is authorized to impose a $490 fine on violators.

      This development is disappointing for local EV enthusiasts. Some believe that removing EV drivers from the carpool lanes—often underutilized during peak travel times—could exacerbate traffic issues on California highways.

      “It’s really disappointing for EV supporters,” remarked John Stringer, president of the Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley club, to The Press Democrat. “For years, this has been one of the benefits we’ve enjoyed. It was one of the reasons I purchased my first EV.”

      Stringer estimates that his access to carpool lanes saved him approximately 20 minutes on his daily commute, time that will now be added to the general traffic flow.

      In September, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier disclosed that he had been advocating in Washington, D.C., for a six-year extension of carpool privileges for EV drivers through a House Resolution. However, the proposal stalled and did not reach a vote.