California Clean Air Vehicle Decal Ended: What EV Buyers Should Know

The California Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal program ended on September 30, 2025, when the federal authorization that allowed it expired. Decals issued before then no longer give carpool-lane access or toll privileges. If you buy a used EV or plug-in hybrid in 2026, a CAV sticker on the bumper is just a sticker.

For Orange County drivers, that changes the math on a few things: how you use the HOV lanes on I-5 and I-405, what you pay on express lanes, and how much extra a used EV with decals is worth. Here's what changed and what didn't.

What the decals used to do

For years, California issued CAV decals to qualifying zero-emission and certain plug-in hybrid vehicles. The decals let a solo driver use HOV (carpool) lanes, and some toll facilities offered discounts or other treatment to decal holders. For many commuters, this was one of the most valuable perks of owning an EV, sometimes more than a rebate.

States need federal authorization to let single-occupant low-emission vehicles use HOV lanes. When that authorization lapsed after September 30, 2025, California's program ended with it.

What changed on October 1, 2025

• No solo HOV access. An EV or plug-in hybrid now needs to meet the lane's posted occupancy requirement, just like a gas car.
• No decal-based toll benefits. Any discounts or privileges tied to the CAV decal ended. Toll facilities apply their standard rules.
• No new decals. The DMV isn't issuing CAV decals.

Having a decal on the car doesn't hurt anything, but it won't stop you from getting a ticket if you're alone in a carpool lane. Some owners remove them to avoid confusion; that's a personal choice.

Carpool and toll lanes in Orange County now

Orange County has several types of managed lanes, and they work differently:

• HOV (carpool) lanes on freeways like I-5 and parts of I-405 and SR-55 require a minimum number of occupants, as posted. Watch the signs, since rules and hours can differ by corridor.
• 405 Express Lanes, which opened in December 2023 between roughly Costa Mesa and the Los Angeles County line, are tolled lanes with their own rules for carpools and solo drivers.
• 91 Express Lanes are a separate tolled facility with their own policies.
• The Toll Roads (SR-73, 133, 241 and 261), operated by TCA, are cashless toll roads. You pay with FasTrak or online after your trip.

Each operator sets its own toll and occupancy policies, so check the operator's website for current details rather than relying on older advice. Our guide to Orange County toll roads and FasTrak explains how to set up an account.

How this affects used EV value

Before the program ended, decals could add real value to a used EV, especially for long-distance commuters. Now:

• Decals no longer justify a premium. If a listing or seller points to a CAV decal as a selling point, know that it provides no lane or toll benefit.
• Compare on fundamentals. Battery health, range, recall status, warranty and price matter more than ever.
• Plug-in hybrids lose a key edge. For some buyers, a PHEV's main draw was solo HOV access. Without it, compare PHEVs and EVs on fuel and charging costs instead.

The federal used EV tax credit also ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025, so both of the biggest perks disappeared on the same date. See our article on the federal used EV tax credit ending.

Rethinking your commute without the decal

If you counted on solo HOV access, it's worth re-running your commute:

1. Time it in general lanes. Drive your route at peak times for a week to get a realistic picture.
2. Consider express lanes. For some drivers, paying a toll on days with heavy traffic is worth it. Check current pricing with the operator.
3. Carpool or vanpool. Sharing rides restores HOV access and cuts costs.
4. Try transit. The Irvine Transportation Center has Metrolink and Amtrak service, which can work for trips toward Los Angeles or San Diego.
5. Shift your hours. If your schedule allows, avoiding peak times may save more than lane access ever did.

Should you still buy a used EV?

For many Orange County drivers, yes. The core benefits haven't changed:

• Home charging can lower your per-mile energy cost, especially on a time-of-use plan. See EV charging in Irvine and Orange County.
• No smog checks at renewal or transfer.
• Lower routine maintenance without oil changes.

Some income-qualified help is still available. The Clean Cars 4 All Scrap and Replace pathway is open, with vehicle limits. Our roundup of used EV incentives in California for 2026 has the details.

If you're browsing, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 1st Edition and the 2020 Jaguar I-PACE EV400 SE we list are both EVs. Neither carries any carpool-lane benefit today, so evaluate them on battery health, recall status (the I-PACE is in model years covered by battery recall campaigns; check the VIN at NHTSA) and price.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still use the carpool lane alone in my EV with a decal?

No. Since October 1, 2025, CAV decals no longer allow solo HOV access. You need to meet the lane's posted occupancy requirement.

Can I get a Clean Air Vehicle decal for a used EV I buy now?

No. The DMV isn't issuing new CAV decals because the program ended with the federal authorization.

Do I have to remove an old CAV decal?

The decal no longer grants anything, and leaving it on doesn't give you lane access. Check DMV guidance if you're unsure about display rules; many owners remove old decals to avoid confusion.

Could the decal program come back?

That would require new federal authorization and state action. We can't predict whether that will happen, so check the DMV for any announcements.

Do EVs get toll discounts on The Toll Roads or express lanes?

Any decal-based benefits ended with the program. Each toll operator sets its own policies, so check with the operator directly for current rules.

Next steps

Read our hub on buying a used EV in Southern California and the California smog check guide. Then check out our used cars in Irvine, and call or text (516) 835-6141 to ask about a car or book a test drive.