Zero-emission carpool stickers expire in 9 days. Are you ready?

"Electrical vehicle owners who drive on California highways are in for a rough transition next week when their ability to take the carpool lane through traffic or over tolls comes to a sudden stop. That's because starting October 1, the state's Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program - which gave drivers of EVs and other clean cars access to HOV lanes - will come to an end. Even though California legislators passed legislation extending carpool lane access through 2027, the program also requires federal authorization, which the Trump administration denied."

"The federal Department of Transportation issued a statement to Reuters earlier this summer, saying that the U.S. Congress opted not to extend the deadline in 2021, when the Democratic party had the majority. However, the Trump administration, with a Republican-controlled House, had the opportunity to extend the program this year and chose not to, despite advocacy efforts by elected officials in California, Arizona, and other states."

"This is the latest blow to zero-emission, or green-vehicle, incentive programs under Trump. In July, President Donald Trump signed legislation that ended tax credits of up to $7,500 for people buying or leasing a new electric car and up to $4,000 for those purchasing a used EV. Those incentives also end on September 30. In order to continue selling their stock of EVs and other zero-emission cars, some car dealerships still offer rebate programs offered by state governments or by the manufacturers themselves."

California's Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program ends on October 1, removing HOV lane and toll-exemption privileges for electric and other clean-vehicle drivers on state highways. Federal authorization for the program was denied by the Trump administration despite state legislation extending access through 2027. The U.S. Department of Transportation noted Congress did not extend the program's deadline in 2021, and the administration did not act this year. Federal tax credits for new and used EVs expire on September 30, reducing financial incentives. Some car dealers and manufacturers are offering rebates, but California no longer maintains a state rebate program. Loss of decal access could increase traffic congestion and equalize EV and gas-vehicle travel costs.

Read at The Oaklandside