PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A big change is set to take effect for electric vehicle owners in Arizona in just a matter of days. It will no longer be legal for alternative fuel vehicles, including EVs , to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes if the driver is solo.

To cruise along the HOV lane on the freeway during peak hours, a driver needs at least one passenger. Alternative fuel vehicles were the exception.

“The federal government advised us a number of months ago that that will be lapsing,” said Steve Elliott with the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The federal law has been in place since about 2005 and will now expire on Tuesday. Come Oct. 1, all alternative fuel vehicles will need at least one passenger to legally drive in the HOV lanes during restricted times.

“It seems

See Full Page