Driving an EV in HOV Lane?

[Keithmaj]

I was juicing early this morning at a Cinemark theater (had to), when I noticed an ad on their electronic billboard stating something about "... 13 states now allow EVs to drive in an HOV lane with only the driver in the car". I did a Google search and it appears that is now the case for TX EV drivers. You might check your state's law as having an HOV/Carpool sticker may no longer be required for EVs...

 

[quantum]

Thats one of the reasons we have 2 EV's in our household.

 

[Spin Doctor]

Helpful list here:

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Alternative Fuel Vehicles and High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes

Doesn't mention Texas though so maybe it's not completely up to date?

 

[DeaneG]

California is phasing this out at the end of Sep 2025, due to large numbers of vehicles in HOV lanes reducing speeds/carrying capacity to that of adjacent lanes or below. A good percentage of solo drivers in HOV lanes were there illegally, driving a gas powered vehicle or a BEV with missing or expired HOV stickers. It's difficult to enforce HOV lanes when a budget-limited police force is busy with more critical duties. So the former HOV lanes are being turned into electronic express tollways, with a discount for HOV and BEVs. No free rides for EVs any more as they rapidly increase in numbers in California - nearly 25% of new car sales currently.

 

[blueice89]

Arizona hov is the ev lane

 

[joec]

California is phasing this out at the end of Sep 2025, due to large numbers of vehicles in HOV lanes reducing speeds/carrying capacity to that of adjacent lanes or below. A good percentage of solo drivers in HOV lanes were there illegally, driving a gas powered vehicle or a BEV with missing or expired HOV stickers. It's difficult to enforce HOV lanes when a budget-limited police force is busy with more critical duties. So the former HOV lanes are being turned into electronic express tollways, with a discount for HOV and BEVs. No free rides for EVs any more as they rapidly increase in numbers in California - nearly 25% of new car sales currently.

In the Denver Metro area, all HOV lanes work similarly. Three people to a vehicle get the lane for free; everyone else can pay their way into using the lane if they really need to go faster. No special access or discounts for EVs at all.

I actually think it works pretty well. And I'm happy to pay on those occasions when I'm really in a hurry. And bonus: No ugly stickers on my car.

 

[JJ_5]

Utah allows it. And, Salt Lake City has free metered parking for EVs.

 

[Lucken]

We have an HOV lane for single occupancy EVs on Long Island, but Lucids aren’t eligible. Don’t get me started.