Drivers of electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles will soon lose a major commuting perk: access to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes when driving alone.
Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1, cars with Alternative Fuel or Energy Efficient license plates will no longer qualify for HOV lane use without meeting the standard requirement of at least two occupants. The change stems from the expiration of a federal exemption that Arizona has relied on for years to allow cleaner-fuel vehicles to bypass carpool restrictions.
HOV lanes, which run along several Valley freeways, are reserved for vehicles with two or more passengers on weekdays from 6–9 a.m. and 3–7 p.m. Exceptions remain in place for motorcycles, public buses, emergency vehicles, and tow trucks on duty.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has published guidance at azdot.gov/HOVRule to help motorists understand the change. State officials note that enforcement will continue under Department of Public Safety troopers, who retain discretion when determining violations based on safety and traffic conditions.
Eligible vehicles previously included not just EVs but also those powered by natural gas, propane, hydrogen, and other alternative fuels. Unless Congress takes action to extend the provision, solo drivers of these vehicles will be required to follow the same carpool rules as everyone else.
