Alternative fuel vehicles with only a driver would no longer have access
Contributed Article/Courtesy ADOT
PHOENIX – Barring a federal change, as of Wednesday, Oct. 1, electric vehicles and other currently eligible alternative fuel vehicles with only a driver will no longer have access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes during restricted times.
ADOT has a web resource at azdot.gov/HOVRule to help alternative fuel vehicle owners and others be ready. The decision on whether to allow this provision in the federal code to lapse lies with Congress. As of now, vehicles with an Alternative Fuel or Energy Efficient license plate will no longer qualify for use in the HOV lane, with only the driver, effective Oct. 1.
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. Other vehicles exempt from occupancy requirements are motorcycles, public transit buses, emergency vehicles used by first responders, and tow trucks performing their duties.
A provision of federal code [23 USC 166(b)(4)] currently allows Arizona to exempt alternative fuel vehicles from HOV lane restrictions that otherwise require two or more occupants. In addition to electric vehicles, currently eligible alternative fuel vehicles include those operating solely on natural gas, propane, hydrogen, coal-derived liquid fuels, fuels derived from biological materials, methanol, denatured alcohol, or other alcohols, or a mixture containing at least 85% methanol, denatured alcohol, or other alcohols.
Should the federal HOV lane rule for alternative fuel vehicles lapse, the Arizona Department of Public Safety will continue to enforce state laws and rely on existing traffic enforcement discretion by State Troopers, who will weigh the severity, safety, and context of each case.
ADOT offers a resource at azdot.gov/HOV that explains what HOV lanes are for, who can use them, and other related topics. It also answers many common questions about HOV lanes.
