Clean fuel vehicle license plates no longer granted access to HOV lanes

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SALT LAKE CITY — Vehicles marked with a "C" license plate can no longer travel in the express lanes on I-15 with a solo driver, unless they have a Clean Fuel Vehicle Decal affixed on the windshield.

The Utah Department of Transportation is making changes and issuing the electronically coded decals to previous and new applicants whose vehicles qualify under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards and federal regulations. The new decal program replaces the existing clean fuel license plate program as a result of HB24, which was passed during this year's general session of the Legislature.

Individuals whose vehicles do not qualify as clean fuel vehicles with the EPA, will not receive a permit and decal to travel solo in the Express Lanes, according to UDOT spokeswoman Tania Mashburn. Because the I-15 Express Lane is on the federal interstate system, the federal government carries the responsibility to determine the eligibility of single-occupant vehicles in the HOV lanes.

C plates can be kept on the vehicle, and still provide access to free parking in downtown Salt Lake City, but as of Friday, the license plate alone will no longer grant free access to the freeway's high occupancy vehicle lane as a solo driver.

For more information on the new Clean Fuel Permit and Decal program, visit www.udot.utah.gov/cdecals. The list of vehicles qualifying under EPA standards includes mostly hybrid vehicles, but also some natural gas and electric cars that date back to 2003.

Email:wleonard@ksl.com