"Beginning Oct. 1, motorists with a Clean Air Vehicle decal will no longer be able to drive solo in carpool lanes because the program was not extended by the federal government..."
So it's a special EV privilege that is going away (because of the Feds). Now they'll be treated like other vehicles. Not as bad as the headline could be interpreted.
altairprime · 1h ago
Well, no, they still won’t be taxed for miles driven per year like gas vehicles are. Not yet, anyways! Probably two or three years left on that watt-o-mobile owner loophole (that Priuses have been exploiting for years, but with far less road damage per mile traveled due to being hybrids). Or maybe less if the feds starve California of transportation funding in petulance at whatever.
triceratops · 43s ago
> they still won’t be taxed for miles driven per year like gas vehicles are
If you're referring to gasoline taxes, California taxes electricity too.
> with far less road damage per mile
I agree, let's tax all vehicles by weight. I'd love to see all those pickup trucks and full-size SUVs pay.
paxys · 57m ago
I don't understand what the federal clean air program has to do with anything? California can make whatever rules about their carpool lanes they want.
itake · 36m ago
Just a guess, but the federal government probably paid for the roads, not the state. With that funding, are strings
nahtnam · 2h ago
Fun while it lasted. I foresee a lot of cops pulling over Teslas in the carpool lane because they didn't realize the program is over
avidiax · 1h ago
Since Newsom doesn't like the program ending, I have a suspicion that the enforcement will be lax.
burnt-resistor · 1h ago
There will be some sort of alternative pay to play privilege fast lane for rich people.
So it's a special EV privilege that is going away (because of the Feds). Now they'll be treated like other vehicles. Not as bad as the headline could be interpreted.
If you're referring to gasoline taxes, California taxes electricity too.
> with far less road damage per mile
I agree, let's tax all vehicles by weight. I'd love to see all those pickup trucks and full-size SUVs pay.