2025 Cybertrucks are now eligible for HOV/carpool lane stickers in California - Try again if you were denied

[WindSpinner]

My application for carpool lane stickers was rejected by DMV because the 2025 Cybertruck is not on the official list of eligible vehicles: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/eligible-carpool-sticker-list

The list shows that only the 2024 Cybertrucks are eligible as a zero-emission vehicle, just as all the other 2024 and 2025 S, 3, X, & Y Teslas. Omitting only the 2025 Cybertruck looked like a mistake to me, so I emailed the California Air Resources Board , who maintains the list of eligible vehicles. They replied that the list is correct and up-to-date, but that the manufacturer must submit their vehicles each year in order to be included and that I need to contact Tesla to find out why it was not. So I tried to contact Tesla and reached a local rep who confirmed that 2025 Cybertrucks are not eligible but had no additional info as to why or if this would be fixed.

Carpool lane stickers are really valuable here because traffic is so bad and there are lots of expensive toll roads which are free or discounted if you have the HOV lane decals.

Does anyone have insight or info as to why 2025 Cybertrucks do not qualify? Suggestions?

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[CybertruckRN1127]

I wouldn’t worry too much about it. The problem is set to expire on Sept 2025. I have not applied for mine because I want to be eligible if there’s a new program afterwards.

 

[3cyberbeast]

Why would they not qualify as a clean air vehicle? Is this a political thing?

 

[btcrealm]

I would keep bugging Tesla.
As much as we try to keep politics out I have to agree this feels political. There is no difference (really) mechanically. Extra frustrating after all the cybertruck work done to help with the fires...

Not in CA but thanks for the heads up for anyone in CA that this would be a consideration for.

 

[YDR37]

If California was automatically rejecting every 2025 Tesla, that would clearly be political. But that's not happening. On the contrary, California has approved the 2025 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y -- which represent more than 95% of the Teslas sold in the state.

It's only the 2025 Cybertruck that is missing from the list. So the issue is Cybertruck-specific, not Tesla-specific.

If CARB says that Tesla simply hasn't filed the paperwork for the 2025 Cybertruck, I would be inclined to believe them, especially if Tesla has no alternative explanation to offer. If politics was involved, then we would be hearing all about it from Elon's Twitter account.

 

[WindSpinner]

I wouldn’t worry too much about it. The problem is set to expire on Sept 2025. I have not applied for mine because I want to be eligible if there’s a new program afterwards.

You make a good point about it being set to expire; however, the program has been extended multiple times in the past by both CA state (5 times) and the federal government. It's been a very popular program that costs the government very little but still incentivizes people to drive EVs. California has already enacted law (AB2678) to extend the carpool lane program through 2027. I could be wrong, but the odds are good that it will get extended federally as well.

Whether it ends or not, it would be still be great to zoom past traffic and get to drive toll-free in the carpool lanes, even if it's just for 7 more months. The value of it in time and money definitely exceeds the $27 sticker fee by a lot. I'm just perplexed why Tesla would submit the paperwork for all its other models but exclude only the Cybertruck.

 

[1Mathieu1]

My application for carpool lane stickers was rejected by DMV because the 2025 Cybertruck is not on the official list of eligible vehicles: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/eligible-carpool-sticker-list

The list shows that only the 2024 Cybertrucks are eligible as a zero-emission vehicle, just as all the other 2024 and 2025 S, 3, X, & Y Teslas. Omitting only the 2025 Cybertruck looked like a mistake to me, so I emailed the California Air Resources Board , who maintains the list of eligible vehicles. They replied that the list is correct and up-to-date, but that the manufacturer must submit their vehicles each year in order to be included and that I need to contact Tesla to find out why it was not. So I tried to contact Tesla and reached a local rep who confirmed that 2025 Cybertrucks are not eligible but had no additional info as to why or if this would be fixed.

Carpool lane stickers are really valuable here because traffic is so bad and there are lots of expensive toll roads which are free or discounted if you have the HOV lane decals.

Does anyone have insight or info as to why 2025 Cybertrucks do not qualify? Suggestions?

I drive Teslas everyday including the cybertruck in the HOV lane without a sticker. Cops don't trip like that. 405 /101. Commute Calabasas / El Segundo. Enjoy the ride.

 

[ocshellback]

I wouldn’t worry too much about it. The problem is set to expire on Sept 2025. I have not applied for mine because I want to be eligible if there’s a new program afterwards.

I had my application denied last week too. With the program stopping in September this year I figured I’m just missing out on 6 months of use.

 

[Leifmb]

Why would they not qualify as a clean air vehicle? Is this a political thing?

Mine was rejected because “Commercial vehicles are not allowed…”

 

[Cyber111]

I think the program will expire and not renew because there are so many more EVs on the road compared to when the program was first initiated. Sorry, just a guess and I hope I’m wrong.

 

[CybertruckRN1127]

I think the program will expire and not renew because there are so many more EVs on the road compared to when the program was first initiated. Sorry, just a guess and I hope I’m wrong.

yeah, I believe so as well, but since I had my CT it would only been a year and half of use so I decided not too. Plus with FSD, I actually don’t care about traffic. Carpool lane is only 10 minutes faster. However, if they do extend it or have a new program, I’ll have the option if I decide to get it, but not betting on it.

 

[donnyb]

All HOV stickers are set to expire 9/30/25, not sure if California is renewing the program for EVs.

 

[Crissa]

I drive Teslas everyday including the cybertruck in the HOV lane without a sticker. Cops don't trip like that. 405 /101. Commute Calabasas / El Segundo. Enjoy the ride.

It only matters, really, to the tolled lane and automated systems.

I wonder why Tesla dropped the ball?

I was always annoyed that it was up to the manufacturer; that made EV conversions not eligible, either.

-Crissa

 

[Bobo_LaDouche]

I remember when car pooling was voluntary (no stickers), and depended on how many passengers were in the vehicle, aka "car pooling". It looks like the system now has other priorities.

 

[Leifmb]

I remember when car pooling was voluntary (no stickers), and depended on how many passengers were in the vehicle, aka "car pooling". It looks like the system now has other priorities.

That’s right-like EV’s polluting less/person than a car pool ICE vehicle!

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