End of the HOV Program for Electric Vehicles in California
As of September 30, 2025, a program that allowed drivers of electric and alternative fuel vehicles to use special HOV lanes without meeting the minimum passenger requirement will be discontinued in California. Similar programs in other US states are also losing effect due to the lack of federal approval.
This initiative, which existed in various forms in states such as Maryland, Hawaii, and North Carolina, stimulated the transition to eco-friendly transport. However, its continued existence depended on an EPA exemption, which is now being revoked. In California, this will affect over 519 thousand drivers who benefited from the program.
“Clean vehicle incentives are a smart incentive that played an important role in the transition to green technologies,” said Liane Randolph, Chair of the California Air Resources Board.
Consequences for the Entire Country
After the program ends, all vehicles, regardless of engine type, will have to comply with the minimum passenger rules for HOV lane use or pay a special fee. The California government attempted to extend the program until 2027, but without support at the federal level, this plan cannot be implemented.
These changes reflect a broader trend in US transportation policy, where the emphasis is gradually shifting from benefits for specific vehicle categories to general rules for all road users. At the same time, this may affect the pace of the transition to electric vehicles, as one of the key advantages for their owners disappears.