Electric Vehicles in HOV Lanes on B.C. Highways

Decal for electric vehicles to access HOV lanes on B.C. highways

Eligibility

Beginning August 15, 2025, if you own a qualifying plug-in hybrid or battery-electric vehicle, you can drive your vehicle in designated HOV lanes on B.C. highways. Until August 15, 2025, use of designated HOV lanes is restricted to those who have been issued an EV OK decal.

Eligible vehicle criteria

The definition of an electric vehicle is a vehicle propelled by an electric motor and powered by a battery that can be charged from an external electricity source.

  • Fuel types:
    • Battery electric vehicle (BEV)
    • Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)
  • All sizes of eligible EVs are allowed, including light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty EVs.
  • If you live outside B.C., you are permitted to drive your single-occupancy eligible EV in HOV lanes.

Overview

Starting August 15, 2025, drivers of eligible plug-in hybrid or battery-electric vehicles no longer need a visible ‘OK’ decal to access certain high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in British Columbia.

These changes reflect the strong uptake of electric vehicles in the province and ensure that access to HOV lanes for all permitted drivers continues to be clear and efficient.

The Ministry of Transportation and Transit will continue to monitor the capacity of HOV lanes across the province to ensure they remain effective for all permitted users.

Access to HOV lanes by eligible EVs is determined solely by signage.

HOV lanes in B.C.

Beginning August 15, 2025, EVs with single driver are allowed in these HOV lanes if there is a sign indicating they are allowed.

HOV and Electric Vehicle OK sign

EVs are allowed in these HOV lanes. 

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: Northbound Pandosy Street to Sexsmith Rd/Old Vernon Road
  • Highway 97: Southbound Sexsmith Rd/Old Vernon Road to Pandosy Street

Learn more about how to use HOV lanes.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about EVs in HOV lanes.

Benefits

Benefits of removal of the sticker requirement include:

  • Simplifying access to HOV lane usage for EV owners including out-of-province vehicles
  • Elimination of wait times

Apply

Apply for an HOV decal or a replacement decal

If you have just purchased and insured your vehicle, please wait ten days for the information to reach our system. If you apply sooner, you may receive an error message.

Please allow approximately six to eight weeks for your decal to arrive by mail.

To apply, you will need to:

  • Provide the vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Upload a scan or photo of the Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence (Registration). 

If this fails online, email a copy of the Certificate to EVHOV@gov.bc.ca

Apply Online

Contact information

Contact us by email: EVHOV@gov.bc.ca