Back in 2016, we shared how electric vehicle (EV) drivers in British Columbia could apply for a free ‘EV OK’ decal to legally access high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes without meeting the usual passenger requirement.
Thanks to continued growth in electric vehicle adoption across B.C., the EVHOV program is being simplified to make life easier for EV drivers and reduce administrative overhead. That means less red tape for EV drivers and and annual savings of about $70,000 on administrative costs all while supporting cleaner transportation in the province. Here’s what’s changing on August 15, 2025:
No More Decals
EV drivers will no longer need to display an “OK” decal to use HOV lanes. Instead, access will be determined by road signage alone. If the sign says EVs are allowed—you’re good to go!
Out-of-Province EVs and Electric Trucks Now Included
Eligible plug-in electric vehicles and electric heavy-duty trucks from outside of BC will be permitted to use HOV lanes where signs indicate access is allowed.
Hydrogen Vehicles No Longer Eligible
Vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells will no longer qualify for HOV lane access unless they meet the minimum passenger requirement.
FAQs
1. What are the changes we are making to the EVHOV program?
2. Where are these HOV lanes that are affected by these changes?
3. Why are we making these changes?
4. When do these changes take effect?
5. Who is affected by these changes?
6. Why are we allowing single-occupancy EVs in HOV lanes?
7. With these changes, are the same types of EVs allowed in HOV lanes?
8. Why is an EV ‘OK’ decal no longer required?
9. Should I keep my EVHOV decal on my car?
10. Are there any other changes to which vehicles are or aren’t allowed in HOV lanes?
11. Are we making changes to bus-only lanes and other types of restricted lanes?
12. Are out-of-province drivers eligible to participate in the program?
1. What are the changes we are making to the EVHOV program?
Owners of qualifying EVs will no longer need an ‘OK’ decal to drive their single-occupancy EV in an HOV lane.
Going forward, single-occupancy EVs will be permitted to use HOV lanes that have a road sign indicating they are allowed.
2. Where are these HOV lanes that are affected by these changes?
HOV lanes affected by these changes are located in the Lower Mainland and Kelowna.
- Lower Mainland
- Highway 1: Westbound from east of 202 Street to Gilmore Way overpass
- Highway 1: Eastbound from Gilmore Way overpass to 208 Street overpass
- Highway 7: Westbound HOV lane starts past (West of) Golden Ears Way and ends just ahead (East) of Old Dewdney Trunk Road
- Highway 7: Eastbound HOV lane starts past (East of) Old Dewdney Trunk Road and ends just ahead (West) of Golden Ears Way
- Highway 17A: Northbound only Ladner Trunk Road to Highway 99
- Highway 99: Northbound south of Highway 17 to north of Highway 17A
- Highway 99: Southbound south of Westminster Highway to north of Steveston Highway
- Kelowna
- Highway 97: North and southbound between Pandosy Street and Sexsmith Rd/Old Vernon Road
3. Why are we making these changes?
We are making these changes to make it easier for owners of EVs to use HOV lanes in B.C. by reducing the red tape required to use these lanes.
4. When do these changes take effect?
These changes take effect on August 15, 2025.
5. Who is affected by these changes?
Any EV owner as well as those that have decals. This includes owners of light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty EVs, as well as out-of-province EV owners.
6. Why are we allowing single-occupancy EVs in HOV lanes?
Since 2016, the EVHOV program has allowed EVs in lanes reserved for high occupancy vehicles (HOVs). This has helped increase the adoption of EVs and supported B.C.’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Administering this program has become too costly and too much of an administrative challenge. This will eliminate the need for a decal while we look at ways to manage HOV lanes in the province.
We know the number of EVs in B.C. is growing. As HOV lanes reach capacity and to keep traffic moving, the ministry will use signage to determine how many passengers will be required in all vehicles including EVs.
7. With these changes, are the same types of EVs allowed in HOV lanes?
Because a decal is no longer required, there will be some changes to which EVs will be allowed. This means only EVs that meet the definition of an electric vehicle are allowed in HOV lanes. That is all vehicles that have a battery-electric engine that can be charged from an external electric charging outlet including medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles and out-of-province EVs.
Hydrogen-cell vehicles and long-range non-plug-in hybrids do not meet the definition of an electric vehicle and starting August 15 will lose access.
Gas-hybrid vehicles will continue to not qualify to access the HOV lanes.
8. Why is an EV ‘OK’ decal no longer required?
With the increasing number of EV sales, they are now plentiful and easy to recognize without an ‘OK’ decal. Removing the decal requirement means owners of EVs will no longer need to apply and wait for a decal to use HOV lanes.
9. Should I keep my EVHOV decal on my car?
Since it is no longer necessary for an EV to display an ‘OK’ decal to use HOV lanes, you can remove the decal. You can sell or return your EV from lease even if it has a decal.
10. Are there any other changes to which vehicles are or aren’t allowed in HOV lanes?
No. We are only making changes to the vehicles that qualify under the EVHOV program.
Other types of vehicles exempt from the occupancy requirements can continue to use HOV lanes.
See this webpage for more information about HOV lanes and which vehicles qualify.
11. Are we making changes to bus-only lanes and other types of restricted lanes?
No. The proposed changes only apply to HOV lanes. Bus-only lanes and other restricted lanes, like transit-priority lanes, are not HOV lanes.
12. Are out-of-province drivers eligible to participate in the program?
Yes, out-of-province single-occupancy EVs will be permitted to use HOV lanes that have a road sign indicating they are allowed.
