The Free Ride for EVs in the Carpool Lane Is Coming to an End

The US government is ending a program that allowed EVs and hybrids to display a “Clean Air Vehicle” sticker and use the HOV lane on freeways, even if the driver was alone in the car.

A rough year for electric vehicle adoption just got a little rougher for owners in some parts of the US. Starting next month, EVs will no longer be able to ride in the fast lane in California, after the US federal government and Congress failed to reauthorize a popular program that has given hybrid and electric vehicles access to state carpool lanes—and worked to promote the sale of electrics for more than 25 years.