California’s Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program Set to Expire

Electric vehicles taking advantage of carpool lanes on a sunny California day.

News Summary

California is preparing for the expiration of its Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program on October 1, 2025, which currently allows single occupants of electric vehicles to access carpool lanes. The upcoming termination stems from a lack of federal support, leaving over 519,000 active decals at risk. Although a bill to extend the program has been signed, it needs federal approval, which remains uncertain. As California aims for all new passenger vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035, the program’s end could hinder electric vehicle adoption and impact traffic patterns across the state.

California is set to see the expiration of its Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program on October 1, 2025, impacting access for electric vehicle (EV) drivers to carpool lanes. This program has allowed single occupants of clean energy vehicles to travel in high-occupancy vehicle lanes, promoting the adoption of environmentally friendly transportation options. The imminent end of the program stems from the expiration of federal congressional authorization, leaving over 519,000 active Clean Air Vehicle Decals in jeopardy.

The chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) indicated that the lack of action from the federal government triggered the program’s forthcoming termination. Although California has experienced a surge in electric vehicle registrations, reaching nearly 1.3 million in 2023, the discontinuation of this incentive could hinder further adoption of EVs across the state.

A bill recently signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom aimed at postponing the program’s expiration date to January 1, 2027, still requires federal approval, which appears unlikely in the current political climate. Legislative movements in Congress have posed challenges to California’s ability to enforce its own vehicle emissions standards, further complicating state-level clean energy initiatives.

The Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program was initiated to incentivize the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles and to combat pollution. The program has provided a significant advantage for EV consumers; a 2025 survey revealed that almost 30% of EV buyers would not have proceeded with their purchase if it weren’t for state incentives like the decal program. The eventual loss of this program could potentially lead to increased congestion in non-HOV traffic lanes as fewer EVs make use of carpool lanes.

Several other states, including New York and Colorado, maintain similar programs that allow drivers of partial- and zero-emission vehicles to access carpool lanes, highlighting the importance of these initiatives nationwide. As California pushes toward its ambitious goal of making all new passenger vehicle sales zero-emission by 2035, the expiration of the Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program represents a significant setback.

The shift in policy reflects a broader struggle between state and federal environmental regulations. In recent years, federal policies under the Trump administration limited California’s ability to enforce its own standards, resulting in further obstacles for state initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. As the deadline approaches, stakeholders in the state are acutely aware of the potential ramifications of this program’s expiration.

In consideration of the Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program’s expiration, the future of EV lane access for single drivers remains uncertain. This change may result not only in altered commuting patterns but could also dampen enthusiasm for electric vehicle adoption in California, reversing the progress made over the past few years. With several key factors at play, including the political environment and consumer incentives, the trajectory of clean energy transportation initiatives in California hangs in the balance.