As of today, drivers in Arizona with alternative fuel vehicles, including electric ones, are facing a significant change on the road: the end of their access to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes during peak hours when driving solo. Until today, these vehicles enjoyed a pass into the carpool lanes, thanks in part to a federal law enacted in 2005, which, as of September 30, has expired, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Approximately 160,000 vehicles with the distinctive alternative fuel plate are registered in Arizona, all of them previously privileged with unrestricted HOV access; the majority are presumed to navigate the Phoenix metropolitan’s congested arteries, according to KJZZ, a detail that underscores the impact this change may have, especially given the region’s ongoing growth contributing to lengthier commutes—and now that growth means further complications as HOV lanes revert to their intended purpose of encouraging carpooling amidst solo-drivers of electric vehicles finding their commute potentially lengthened by their return to regular lanes.
The ADOT clarified that “HOV lanes are available on freeways in the Phoenix metropolitan area. A requirement of two or more occupants is in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.,” which entails that other exempt vehicles like motorcycles, public transit buses, emergency vehicles, and tow trucks will maintain their current occupancy exceptions, yet this marks the end of such exclusions for alternative fuel vehicle drivers moving alone as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix…