Loss of HOV lanes for EVs

[StrWhtMME]

Starting the end of September, one occupant EVs will not be allowed in HOV or HOT lanes. If you feel strongly about this contact the DOT, your representative, senator, or someone in Washington. The official memo from Martin C Knopp, Associate Administrator for Operations at the DOT is attached.

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[RickMachE]

Starting the end of September, one occupant EVs will not be allowed in HOV or HOT lanes. If you feel strongly about this contact the DOT, your representative, senator, or someone in Washington. The official memo from Martin C Knopp, Associate Administrator for Operations at the DOT is attached.

Why? There is ZERO chance that you can have any impact. Don't waste your effort. Revisit in 3.5 years.

 

[Fremont Kid]

Appreciate the awareness. I don't use HOV lanes because most drivers along I-25 consider these unlimited speed limit lanes. l prefer driving slower, i.e. speed limit and safer.

 

[HuntingPudel]

The State here converted all of the HOV lanes on the freeways that I drive into toll-based Express lanes quite a while ago. So I have never had the opportunity to use an HOV lane while being a single occupant. What's worse is now when I have 2 or 3 occupants I still can't use the lanes since they're toll-based.

 

[MachhE-CT]

Single occupant EVS not permitted in HOVs in CT in any event. On top of that unless I am doing 15 mph above the speed limit in the HOV I am going to have some jackass in his Suburu WRX licking my rear bumper ( and yeah it’s only him in his car) or a huge RAM diesel obscuring all visibility from my rear window. No thanks I’ll stick to the regular traffic lanes

 

[djstough]

Why? There is ZERO chance that you can have any impact. Don't waste your effort. Revisit in 3.5 years.

Did you read the date on the memo?

 

[RickMachE]

Did you read the date on the memo?

Yes. Therefore, to try and get it back during the next 3.5 years has less than a zero chance.

 

[djstough]

Did you read the date on the memo?

Okay, so maybe. Point being, it was a policy that was allowed starting in 2015 that had a planned expiration in 10 years. If it wasn't addressed in the last 4 years, I wouldn't get my hopes up in 3.5. That is all.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Okay, so maybe. Point being, it was a policy that was allowed starting in 2015 that had a planned expiration in 10 years. If it wasn't addressed in the last 4 years, I wouldn't get my hopes up in 3.5. That is all.

While I understand your point, I think you’re missing Rick’s original point. The OP suggested writing your representatives, senators, etc, if you’re opposed to letting this expire. That’s unlikely to have any effect given the current political environment in the United States. If you want to see the policy made permanent, you’ll need to do so after a change of administration — whenever that may be.

 

[ridgebackpilot]

The State here converted all of the HOV lanes on the freeways that I drive into toll-based Express lanes quite a while ago. So I have never had the opportunity to use an HOV lane while being a single occupant. What's worse is now when I have 2 or 3 occupants I still can't use the lanes since they're toll-based.

The HOV lanes in the Bay Area are still free to EVs during rush hour, but you have to use a FasTrack Flex transponder and set it on 3 occupants.

I can't see California changing its rules because a bureaucrat in DC says it should...

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I can't see California changing its rules because a bureaucrat in DC says it should...

The federal government has the power of the purse when it comes to roadways within the interstate highway system.

 

[HuntingPudel]

The HOV lanes in the Bay Area are still free to EVs during rush hour, but you have to use a FasTrack Flex transponder and set it on 3 occupants.

I can't see California changing its rules because a bureaucrat in DC says it should...

Except that the roads I travel most commonly do not have HOV lanes. They're Express Lanes and they don't make any differentiation for EVs vs. ICE. I was lucky enough to be pushed into an Express Lane at a transponder loop, so I've seen the charge on my FasTrak statement.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

The State here converted all of the HOV lanes on the freeways that I drive into toll-based Express lanes quite a while ago. So I have never had the opportunity to use an HOV lane while being a single occupant. What's worse is now when I have 2 or 3 occupants I still can't use the lanes since they're toll-based.

If you have the stickers ands the right Fastrak, you can drive them for free. Not sure what happens in Sept though.

EDIT: please see @devmach-e’s post with corrected information.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Call me crazy, but I generally agree with the memo, single occupant vehicles should not be allowed free use of the HOV lanes. Single occupant vehicles should pay tolls, but the toll for an EV should be less than gas. Similar view to totally free charging, it invites overuse and abuse. It also simplifies enforcement. Keep it cheap, but not free.

 

[kdonnel]

This is nation wide?

I thought it was just a Georgia thing that it was ending.

I pay the $50 a year for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle plates that allow me to ride in the I-85 HOT lanes for free and in the I-85 HOV lanes as a single rider.

I did it because at one point I had a job that round trip would cost me about $36 a day in tolls to save an hour on my commute. I bought an EV and before I could even use the plates one time covid hit and I started working from home full time and then got a new job before I had to do that commute again.

It was the entire reason I bought my first EV, that potential $9000 annual toll savings and 245 hours of commute saved.

I continued to pay the $50 for each EV when I renewed my tags because I figured I still saved some money. This thread prompted me to download my transactions from the Georgia Peach Pass site and so far this year I have had $229.45 in adjustments due to the AFV plates. Extrapolate that over a full year and I would see adjustments of about $370. Subtract out the $100 I pay for the AFV plate and I will be losing out on $270 a year in savings. Many times I ride in the HOT lane just because it is free and not because it saves me any time so realistically my real savings are probably closer to $200 a year.

So as not that much of a hit to my budget that this goes away but I feel for people who still were doing the commute I had in 2021 that triggered me to buy an EV to take advantage of this HOT/HOV lane rules that are ending.

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