California EV drivers to lose solo carpool access in October: What to know

KTLA ^ | September 9, 2025 | by: Iman Palm

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Bad news for electric vehicle owners in California.

The California DMV is reminding drivers that federal regulations authorizing Clean Air Vehicle decals, which allowed qualifying cars to use carpool lanes with a single occupant or pay reduced toll rates in some areas, will expire on Sept. 30.

The decals were valid for up to four years, but the federal government’s decision to end the program means all decals will become invalid on Oct. 1, regardless of when they were issued.

[webheart]

Good! I have had an electric car for six years and never got the sticker so I don’t drive in the car pool lane. I only drive it when my wife is with me, then we qualify to be in the car pool lane. I don’t believe in car pool lanes to begin with. I think they are inefficient and dangerous.

[webheart]

Good! I have had an electric car for six years and never got the sticker so I don’t drive in the car pool lane. I only drive it when my wife is with me, then we qualify to be in the car pool lane. I don’t believe in car pool lanes to begin with. I think they are inefficient and dangerous.

[fruser1]

Better to scrap the HOV bs altogether.

[Myrddin]

I moved to the Pocatello area in December 2000. Thus far, I have not been west of Twin Falls. My wife and sons have made trips to Boise. I just have never had a need.

[Myrddin]

Southern CA is Ok for an EV. That is where my sister lives. It would probably be Ok in southeast Idaho from April to October. I wouldn't want one in the Winter months. I already had first hand experience with a Mercury Mariner Hybrid. It only delivered 21 MPG during Winter months. Summer managed 26 MPG. Spring/Fall managed 28 to 30 MPG, but only for about 4 weeks per year in southeast Idaho.

[Disambiguator]

It’s funny about needing to go to Boise. My sister and her oldest daughter both live in the East Bay (SF Bay Area). When they come to visit they like to shop for clothes and other things. Apparently there’s nowhere left to shop in the Bay Area, probably because all the stores are closing due to rampant shoplifting.

[Myrddin]

We have to go to Idaho Falls. Most of the mall has been demolished in Pocatello. A Target will be here by 2027, but all the small shops are gone. Just economic depression.