EV drivers in 13 states including California set to lose federal carpool lane privileges by October

Electric vehicle drivers in California and 12 other states are set to lose their carpool lane privileges in September if Congress doesn't extend the state's Clean Air Vehicle Decal program.

“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,” Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board said, according to the LA Times. “But thanks to the federal government’s failure to act, this successful program is coming to an end.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given drivers operating energy-efficient cars to use the carpool lane in California because of federal legislation in the past.

The goal was to promote the more common usage of alternative-fuel vehicles, according to the Department of Energy. 

The California Department of Motor Vehicles website states that if Congress doesn't renew the program by Sep. 30, the EV stickers won't allow those driving electric vehicles to use the HOV lane. 

It was unclear as of Friday whether Congress will renew the program. Republicans who control the White House and Congress have been critical of laws in Democrat-led California that effectively attempt to add and facilitate the use of electric vehicles over gas-powered ones.