Electric vehicle drivers in Hawaii who have enjoyed solo access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes during rush hour will need to find passengers or face regular traffic starting October 1st. According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, single-occupancy vehicles with EV plates will no longer be allowed to use HOV lanes during restricted hours after September 30, 2025. The change affects thousands of Hawaii EV owners who have enjoyed HOV lane access regardless of passenger count since the privilege was restored in 2021. As reported by KITV, the Hawaii Department of Transportation says the change is needed because a federal rule that has allowed this for years is expiring. Federal Policy Drives the Change The end of Hawaii's EV HOV perks stems from federal legislation reaching its expiration date. The HOV lane exemption for alternative fuel vehicles and EVs is set to expire on September 30, 2025. This federal statute, codified as 23 U.S.C. 166b, has allowed states nationwide to grant HOV lane access to electric and alternative fuel vehicles with single occupants. The expiration affects not just Hawaii but states across the nation. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, electric vehicles and other currently eligible alternative fuel vehicles with only a single occupant will no longer have access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes during restricted times as of September 30, 2025. Hawaii's Complex EV Incentive History Hawaii's relationship with EV incentives has been complex over the years. The exemption for EV use of HOV lanes authorized by Act 168 (2012) sunsetted on June 30, 2020. However, HDOT continued to support EV use of HOV lanes and took steps to ensure EV drivers were not cited, eventually formalizing the privilege through administrative rules in late 2021. The state Department of Transportation amended its administrative rules to restore the privilege in 2021, less than a year after the 2012 state law initially expired. Hawaii Administrative Rule (HAR) 19-108-7 was amended to allow electric vehicles with EV license plates to use High Occupancy Vehicle lanes regardless of the number of people in the vehicle. Traffic Management Concerns Transportation officials say this change is also about keeping HOV lanes moving effectively. If HOV lanes become too crowded, states can be required to make changes to improve traffic flow. The Federal Highway Administration monitors HOV lane effectiveness and requires states to submit annual reports assessing traffic flow in these lanes. As EV adoption has grown nationwide, HOV lanes have experienced increased congestion. The growing popularity of EV HOV access has decreased the overall benefits of restricted lane access, creating the need for policy adjustments. Impact on Hawaii's Growing EV Community Hawaii has seen dramatic growth in electric vehicle adoption in recent years. These drivers will now need to comply with standard HOV requirements, which typically mandate two or more occupants during restricted hours. The policy change represents a significant shift for commuters who have relied on this incentive. While the perk is ending for now, Hawaii officials are keeping the EV exemption rule in place in case federal authorization returns. This suggests state officials remain supportive of the incentive and would quickly restore it if federal policy changes. The policy rationale for EV HOV access remains unchanged, as it supports reduction in transportation-related pollution and fossil fuel dependency. National Implications and Congressional Response Hawaii joins other states grappling with the same federal deadline. Some members of Congress have advocated for extending the program. According to Congressman Greg Stanton, extending this authorization will promote American automotive innovation, aid American manufacturing of clean vehicles, and alleviate congestion. The September 30 deadline represents a significant shift in transportation policy that could affect commuting patterns and EV adoption incentives across multiple states. For Hawaii's growing community of electric vehicle owners, the change marks the end of a nearly decade-long incentive that made EVs particularly attractive in a state with notoriously heavy traffic congestion.