California’s electric vehicle drivers are about to lose a major perk they’ve enjoyed for a quarter century. At the end of September, the state’s Clean Air Vehicle decal program — which let EV owners drive solo in carpool lanes — officially comes to an end.
The policy shift means that, starting October 1, only vehicles with the required number of passengers will be allowed in carpool lanes. EV drivers with decals will no longer get an exemption, and those who don’t comply will face tolls or citations. Roughly 500,000 vehicles with active decals are affected by the change, according to the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
The program’s expiration is the result of a federal decision. CARB explained that under Section 166 of Title 23 of the U.S. Code, an extension required congressional authorization — something President Donald Trump’s administration declined to pursue. Without it, California has no legal authority to continue granting the privilege.
The final day to order a decal was August 29, and decals will remain valid only through September 30. CHP said drivers will not be cited for violations during a 60-day grace period after the program ends, giving motorists time to adjust.
CARB noted that the carpool program played an important role in promoting EV adoption, with over 1.2 million decals issued since its inception. But as zero-emission vehicles have become more common on California roads, officials acknowledged the environmental impact of giving them solo carpool access has diminished.
Still, state leaders signaled they’d like to revive the incentive. A recent report to Governor Gavin Newsom recommended extending carpool lane access for EVs, but CARB admitted it cannot move forward without federal approval.
After 25 years, the expiration marks the end of one of California’s most visible clean-energy perks. For many EV drivers, the daily commute is about to get longer.