SAN FRANCISCO — The state’s Clean Air Vehicle decal program ends next week, but tickets won’t immediately be handed out to solo electric vehicle drivers who continue to use carpool lanes.
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The California Highway Patrol is giving drivers two months to change their habits, according to Sgt. Andrew Barclay.
“Driving solo is still a violation,” Barclay said. “It’s just our current policy to not cite until Dec. 1.”
The program, which allows EV drivers to access carpool lanes regardless of how many people are in their vehicle, expires Tuesday.
Officers can still stop and warn drivers, “as the point of the grace period is to educate the public,” Barclay said, adding that the Department of Motor Vehicles is responsible for the majority of the educational campaign and will release information in the coming months.
The program existed for more than 20 years under a federal law that allowed states to decide whether to grant carpool lane access to electric vehicles. The original idea was to provide incentives to sell the vehicles, which reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases.
The most recent version of the federal law, signed by President Obama in 2015, expires on Sept. 30, and it has not been reauthorized by Republicans who hold majorities in the House and Senate.
Staff writer Paul Rogers contributed to this report.