SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — California’s Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program ends on Tuesday, Sept. 30. The program allowed solo drivers of electric and hybrid cars to use carpool lanes.
Another perk for drivers with decals is also wrapping up — the discounts on tolls.
Sometimes you’re at a standstill because of Bay Area traffic. Sometimes, you’re just inching along because all the congestion.
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For many EV drivers, California’s Clean Air Decal Program has spelled relief. Drivers with the sticker have been able to drive by themselves in carpool lanes.
Since the program started, the DMV has issued more than 1 million decals. Currently there are more than 465,000 vehicles in California with active Clean Air Vehicle Decals.
But, that program ends this week when federal authorization expires. The CHP is giving a 60-day grace period and then tickets may follow.
“Not happy about it,” said Danielle Brown of San Francisco.
She has a lot of long commutes. “I travel everywhere all over the Bay Area,” said Brown.
Brown says using the HOV lane as a solo driver has been huge help.
With the CAV decal program ending, drivers will say goodbye to several perks.
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The CAV decals have allowed drivers to get a discount on bridge tolls. So instead of paying $8 on the Bay Bridge, they’ve been able to pay $4.
Starting Wednesday, Oct. 1, there will be no more discounted bridge tolls, and no more discounted express lane tolls for solo drivers with the CAV sticker.
“Consequently, those vehicles will no longer receive half price tolls unless they are using the carpool lanes and meet the carpool lane requirements,” said John Goodwin, spokesman for Metropolitan Transportation Committee.
For EV drivers crossing a toll bridge other than Golden Gate, 10 times a month, the revised costs would be $80 now instead of $40.
The reinstated tolls will hit some drivers harder than others.
“Work pays for my fast track. But either way, it’s not very good,” said Brown.
“It’s definitely not a good thing given that EVs are expensive,” said Vikas Baghel of Sunnyvale about no longer having discounted tolls.
Baghel expects to shell out big bucks for bridge tolls and express lanes from now on.
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“A couple of hundred bucks,” said Baghel.
“I drive for my job,” said Victor Ibanez of Petaluma. He drives for Uber in an electric vehicle.
He says Uber pays the toll costs if he has a customer.
Even though the CAV sticker program is coming to an end, Ibanez says it’s still worth it to drive an EV.
“For me personally, it costs me about one-fifth of what I was spending before,” said Ibanez.
With no more solo driver access to HOV lanes, Bay Area drivers should expect a lot more traffic on our freeways.
Whether that’s going to drive more people to turn to BART or public transport remains to be seen.
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