July 11,2025
RED FM News Desk
The Province of B.C. is making it easier for electric vehicle (EV) drivers to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, in response to the growing popularity of EVs in the region.
Starting August 15, 2025, drivers of eligible plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles will no longer need an “OK” decal to access HOV lanes. Instead, new road signs will indicate where EVs are permitted.
This change to the Electric Vehicle in High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes (EVHOV) program aims to simplify HOV lane access for EV owners and eliminate delays caused by the decal application process.
Additional updates include allowing eligible EVs from outside B.C. and electric heavy-duty trucks to use HOV lanes where permitted by signage. This supports cleaner transportation and more efficient movement of goods. EVs that plug in to charge will still be allowed to use HOV lanes without meeting the minimum passenger requirement, where signage allows. However, hydrogen-powered vehicles will no longer be eligible for this exemption.
By ending the decal program, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit expects to save about $70,000 annually in administrative costs. The ministry will continue monitoring HOV lane usage to ensure they remain efficient for all authorized vehicles.
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