As of Dec. 1, a grace period for owners and drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) in California’s carpool decal program has now ended, according to dmv.ca.gov. California’s Clean Air Vehicle Decal program, which allowed single EVs to go into carpool lanes in California, officially ceased on Sept. 30.
Also, the New Clean Vehicle Credit, a tax credit program for EV drivers, was slated to expire on Sept. 30, according to irs.gov. A tax credit of a maximum of $7,500 would be given to those who buy new EVs and a maximum of $4,000 for buyers of used EVs and plug-in vehicles.
Since Oct. 1, drivers have been required to follow the HOV lane regulations, even if they possessed a “clean air vehicle” decal on their front or rear bumper. This means that in order to avoid a citation and fine, they could only use carpool lanes when there were two or more people in the vehicle.
Leading up until now, drivers were simply handed warnings. However, as of right now, drivers who are caught by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) alone in the HOV lane might be fined up to $500.
Other benefits for drivers, such as free parking meters in places like Santa Monica, also expire with the state and federal clean air programs.