Electric and hybrid vehicle drivers will be forced to find a new route as the New York crackdown begins. For about two decades, electric and hybrid drivers enjoyed the privilege that allowed them access to the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes of the Long Island Expressway. However, October marked the start of the end of this privilege, whereby electric and hybrid vehicle drivers are forced to rejoin the traffic.
Saying goodbye to two decades of the Clean Pass Program
The Clean Pass Program was initially launched in 2006 as somewhat of a reward for environmentally conscious drivers who opted to drive fully electric or hybrid vehicles. Giving these environmentally conscious drivers the chance to drive in HOV lanes gave drivers an added reason to go green.
In October this year, this perk was taken away as the Clean Pass Program expired at the end of September, and no further action was taken by the White House to renew this program. New York, however, is not the only state where this program has been terminated.
The end of the program means that 55,000 drivers in New York will find themselves back in regular lanes of the Long Island Expressway (LIE), which has always been one of the most congested highways in the country. With former Clean Pass Program members returning to normal lanes, congestion is likely to occur, and drivers will have to prepare for added travel time.
Fines and frustration will be the new norm in the state
As per the new law, solo electric or hybrid vehicle drivers who are found driving in HOV lanes will have to face the exact same penalty as common violators. The $150 fine is on the cards for all first-time offenders, along with two license points. Offenders who are found driving in HOV lanes more than once will receive fines of about $450. Repeat offenders may also have to pay surcharges of about $93 and may have their driver’s license suspended as well.
The state’s Department of Transportation has surely stepped up and started posting signage throughout the state to alert drivers about this new law. While federal officials are fully in support of this law, Governor Kathy Hochul expressed disappointment about the program ending. With electric vehicle adoption slowing down rather considerably throughout the state, the decision may send out the wrong message.
The end of the Clean Pass Program is yet another way to take away EV incentives
Electric vehicle incentives throughout the country are being taken away, and the end of the Clean Pass Program is yet another indicator that EV drivers will no longer experience the perks of going green. The federal EV tax credit and the free parking benefit for EVs were also taken away.
With the demand for EVs having slowed down as well, many automakers are concerned that the end of the Clean Pass Program could mean a further reduction in EV sales. A minimum of two people in the car will make it possible for drivers of all vehicles to use HOV lanes.
What does the end of the program mean for New York drivers?
New York State DOT will now need to ensure that all drivers understand the new law and that electric and hybrid vehicles return to normal lanes. HOV lanes will go back to their original purpose. EV drivers should rather choose to carpool than to accept hefty fines. Since the New York crackdown has started, travel times are predicted to be longer, with greater congestion to be experienced along the Long Island Expressway.
With HOV lanes emptying, the message is that decade-long perks can also come to an end. We bid farewell to Clean Pass perks as New York drivers lose HOV access and face new penalties.
