CA electric vehicle drivers lose carpool lane access as Clean Air Vehicle Decal program ends

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- It's official: Drivers of low-emission vehicles can no longer use the carpool lanes on California freeways.

The new change went into effect Thursday following the end of the California Department of Motor Vehicles' Clean Air Vehicle Decal program.

The program was launched in 2001 as an incentive to get California drivers into hybrids and electric vehicles.

It might be confusing because the state recently announced it had extended the program through 2027. However, because the federal government refused to extend the program, that effectively ended the program.

No tickets will be issued yet, thanks to a 60-day grace period. After that, drivers could face a fine of up to $500.

In a statement sent to Eyewitness News earlier this month, the California Air Resources Board said, "Clean Air Vehicle Decals are a smart, cost-effective incentive that has played an important role driving the adoption of clean and zero-emission vehicles in California, but thanks to the federal government's failure to act, this successful program is coming to an end. Despite the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to undermine progress, California remains committed to moving forward with the global market toward a zero-emission future."