Apply for Electric Vehicles in HOV Lanes on B.C. Highways

Drivers and manufacturers can apply for electric vehicles to have access to HOV lanes in B.C. regardless of the number of passengers in the car.

Eligible vehicle criteria:

• Fuel Type must be one of the following:
  • Battery electric Vehicle (BEV)
  • Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV)
  • Plug-in hybrid electric Vehicle (PHEV)
  • Extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV)
• Highway capable
• Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) certified
• Covered/deemed covered by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certificate in accordance with the On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations (ORVEER)
• BC registered, OEM vehicle with gross vehicle weight < 6,000kg
• Any types of post-production conversions are not eligible

Drivers

Owners of low emission vehicles can apply for a permit to drive in high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) on B.C. highways. You can also apply for a replacement if your decal was lost or damaged.

Manufacturers

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) may have their vehicles listed as eligible to travel in high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) on B.C. highways if they meet certain conditions.

Electric vehicles (EVs) displaying an official decal are allowed in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in British Columbia regardless of the number of passengers in the car, unless a sign is posted indicating otherwise.

Drivers

Your vehicle make, model, year and fuel type will be checked against the eligible vehicle list before a permit will be issued.

• Check to see if your vehicle model is already on the eligibility list (PDF, 456.8 KB - Updated August 20, 2020)
• Frequently asked questions about Electric Vehicle Program and HOV Lanes

Manufacturers

The provincial government evaluates whether low emission vehicle models can become eligible for the Electric Vehicles in HOV Lanes Program.

Drivers

Electric vehicles (EVs) displaying an official decal are allowed in provincial highway and municipal high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) in British Columbia regardless of the number of passengers in the car, unless a sign is posted indicating otherwise.

The following provincial highway HOV lanes are eligible for use by electric vehicles:

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 only east of Golden Ears Way to east of Old Dewdney Trunk Road
• 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 – northbound Pandosy Street to Highway 33
• Highway 97 – southbound Highway 33 to Pandosy Street

Manufacturers

Manufacturers may benefit because consumers of clean energy vehicles in B.C. consider many factors, including access to High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.They may consult this list to inform their purchasing decision.

• Transportation Energy Solutions
  Learn about B.C.'s energy use solutions.
• Using HOV Lanes
  Learn about using B.C.'s High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes.
• Plug in BC
  Supporting the uptake of electric vehicles in British Columbia. Find available EV charging stations and incentive programs.
• CEV for BC
  Learn about the Clean Energy Vehicles for B.C. Program to make clean energy vehicles more affordable for British Columbians.
• Emotive
  Ask an expert your EV questions
• Emotive Community (Facebook)
  Emotive is a campaign and community aimed to raise awareness of plug-in electric vehicles in B.C.
• Motor Vehicle Act - Section 152 - High Occupancy Vehicle Lane
• Motor Vehicle Act Regulations - Division 42 - High Occupancy Vehicles