Zero-emission carpool stickers expire in 7 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 Oct. 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"

"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 Sept. 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."

Starting Oct. 1, California's Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program ends, removing EV and clean-car access to HOV lanes and toll exemptions. The program required federal authorization, which the Trump administration denied despite state legislation extending access through 2027. The Department of Transportation said Congress did not extend the deadline in 2021. Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 for new EVs and up to $4,000 for used EVs also end on Sept. 30. Some dealerships continue to offer state or manufacturer rebates, while California no longer provides a state rebate program. Bay Area traffic could worsen as EVs lose carpool privileges.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org