The Impending Expiration of California's Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program: Implications for EV Adoption and Traffic Management
HYDROGEN
California's Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal program, crucial for promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption by granting solo access to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, is poised to expire on September 30, 2025, without federal action. Since its inception in 1999, the program has issued over 1.1 million decals, contributing to a significant increase in registered EVs.
However, the surge in solo EV drivers has resulted in increased congestion in HOV lanes, challenging the programás original goal of encouraging carpooling. The future of this initiative hangs in the balance, prompting discussions on sustainable transportation solutions.
Aug 8, 2025, 12:00 AM