California’s Carpool Lane Perk for EV Drivers Ends; 60-Day Grace Period Starts

During the grace period, CHP officers will pull drivers over and inform them of the policy changes, but fines starting at $490 will begin on Dec. 1.

A California clean air vehicle sticker on the rear bumper of a hybrid Honda Civic in San Rafael, Calif., on May 6, 2011. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Electric vehicle drivers in California will no longer be allowed in the carpool lanes if they do not meet the minimum number of passengers to qualify for access.

This comes as California’s clean air vehicle (CAV) decal program, which allowed solo electric vehicle drivers access to carpool lanes, ended on Sept. 30, affecting roughly 500,000 cars.