As of October 1, a federal change will impact access to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes for electric vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles in Arizona. Unless Congress acts to extend the current provision, these vehicles with only a driver will lose their eligibility to use HOV lanes during restricted hours.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has provided information for affected drivers at azdot.gov/HOVRule. According to ADOT, “The decision on whether to allow this provision in federal code to lapse lies with Congress, and as of now vehicles with an Alternative Fuel or Energy Efficient license plate will no longer qualify to use the HOV lane with only the driver as of Oct. 1.”
HOV lanes are found on freeways in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The requirement is two or more occupants from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Exceptions remain for motorcycles, public transit buses, emergency vehicles used by first responders, and tow trucks performing official duties.
Currently, federal code [23 USC 166(b)(4)] allows Arizona to exempt certain alternative fuel vehicles—including those powered solely by natural gas, propane, hydrogen, coal-derived liquid fuels, biological materials, methanol, denatured alcohols or mixtures containing at least 85% of such alcohols—from occupancy requirements in HOV lanes.
If the exemption lapses as scheduled, enforcement will continue under state law. “Should the federal HOV lane rule on alternative fuel vehicles lapse, the Arizona Department of Public Safety will continue to enforce the state laws and lean on existing traffic enforcement discretion by State Troopers, where Troopers will weigh severity, safety and context,” according to ADOT.
Further details about HOV lane rules and eligible users are available at azdot.gov/HOV.
