Otis Singleton
Electric vehicles in Georgia are eligible to drive in the HOV lane for free at any time, regardless of the number of passengers in the car. This is also true of some express lanes, such as the I-85 and I-85 Extension Express Lanes, which allow for free travel for vehicles with three or more occupants. However, the newer I-75 express lanes are not free for EVs, and there is also a mandatory annual fee for all pure electric vehicles in Georgia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Peach Pass free for electric vehicles? | In Georgia, electric vehicles (EVs) with Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) license plates are considered "Toll Exempt Accounts" and can travel in Peach Pass lanes for free. |
| How to get free access? | To get free access, you need to set up a Peach Pass account and get an AFV tag. |
| Where is it applicable? | The I-85 Express Lanes and the I-85 Express Extension Lanes are free for vehicles with AFV plates and a transponder set to non-toll mode. |
| What about other lanes? | The I-75 express lanes are not free for EVs, but you don't need to change the toll mode when driving in them. |
| Other benefits of Peach Pass | Peach Pass offers parking access, local and regional discounts, and loyalty programs. |
| Other benefits of electric vehicles | EVs are good for the environment, have lower operating costs, and require less maintenance. |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric vehicles with an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) license plate can use HOV lanes for free
- In Georgia, electric vehicles must pay an annual AFV fee
- The I-75 express lanes are not free for electric vehicles
- The I-85 and I-85 Extension Express Lanes are free for electric vehicles with an AFV plate and a Peach Pass transponder set to non-toll mode
- The Peach Pass Advantage program offers account holders parking access and local discounts
Electric vehicles with an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) license plate can use HOV lanes for free
In Georgia, electric vehicles (EVs) with an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) license plate can use HOV lanes for free. This is also known as a 'perk' for EV owners. However, this is not the case for all HOV lanes in Georgia, as some require a Peach Pass account and transponder, while others do not.
The I-85 Express Lanes and the I-85 Express Extension Lanes are free for vehicles with an AFV plate and a transponder set to non-toll mode. The transponder can be set to non-toll mode using the PeachPass website or smartphone app. The I-75 express lanes, on the other hand, are not free for EVs, and the transponder's toll mode does not need to be changed.
In 2023, the Georgia SRTA completed the integration of the PeachPass system with the multi-state E-Z Pass system. The E-Z Pass is accepted in Peach Pass lanes, but only with a special agreement between North Carolina and Georgia.
EV owners in Georgia must pay a mandatory annual AFV fee, which is meant to collect from EVs the equivalent of the average Gasoline Road Tax paid by ICE cars. This fee was $210.96 as of July 2022 and is adjusted annually for inflation.
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In Georgia, electric vehicles must pay an annual AFV fee
In Georgia, electric vehicles (EVs) are subject to an annual Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) fee, also known as a "road use fee". This fee is mandatory for all pure EV registrations in the state and is applied annually. As of July 2023, the fee is $210.87, up from $200 in 2015 due to inflation adjustments. This fee is separate from the cost of obtaining an AFV license plate, which is required for certain toll-free benefits.
The AFV fee aims to collect from EVs an amount equivalent to the average Gasoline Road Tax paid by internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, there is debate regarding the fairness of this fee. While EVs are exempt from fuel taxes, they still contribute to road wear and tear, making the AFV fee a way to ensure they pay their fair share for road maintenance.
In terms of toll lanes in Georgia, the Peach Pass system allows drivers to pay fees for express lanes. While some lanes are free for EVs with AFV plates, such as the I-85 Express Lanes, others like the I-75 Express Lanes are not. It is important to note that even if your vehicle has an AFV plate and is eligible for toll-free lanes, you must still register for a Peach Pass and set it up correctly to avoid being fined.
To summarize, while electric vehicles in Georgia do enjoy certain perks such as access to HOV lanes and some toll-free lanes, they are also subject to the annual AFV fee. This fee ensures that EVs contribute to road maintenance, similar to their ICE counterparts.
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The I-75 express lanes are not free for electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) are not exempt from tolls on the I-75 express lanes. While EVs with Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) license plates can drive in some toll lanes for free, this does not apply to the I-75 express lanes.
The I-75 express lanes are marked in blue on toll signs. To use these lanes, drivers must have a regular, non-exempt PeachPass account and pay the toll fee. The billing system for these lanes ignores transponder mode, meaning that drivers of electric vehicles do not need to worry about changing their toll mode when using these lanes.
PeachPass is Georgia's toll payment system, run by the state agency SRTA. It allows drivers to pay for the use of express lanes with a PeachPass account linked to their credit card and a transponder carried in their car. The transponder communicates with an automatic monitoring system as the car drives down the lane, debiting the toll fee from the driver's PeachPass account.
While electric vehicles with AFV plates can access some toll lanes for free, this is not the case for the I-75 express lanes. This is due to the specific rules governing these lanes, which require a regular, non-exempt PeachPass account regardless of AFV plate status.
It is important to note that the rules and regulations regarding toll lanes and EV access can change over time. While the current information indicates that the I-75 express lanes are not free for EVs, it is always a good idea to stay informed about any updates or changes that may impact your toll road usage.
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The I-85 and I-85 Extension Express Lanes are free for electric vehicles with an AFV plate and a Peach Pass transponder set to non-toll mode
Electric vehicles with an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) license plate and a Peach Pass transponder set to non-toll mode can access the I-85 and I-85 Extension Express Lanes for free. This is because these lanes are High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, which allow registered transit, three or more person carpools, motorcycles, emergency vehicles, and AFVs with the proper AFV license plate to use the Express Lanes without paying a toll.
To set up your electric vehicle to access the I-85 and I-85 Extension Express Lanes for free, you will need to obtain an AFV license plate and a Peach Pass transponder. The AFV license plate indicates that your vehicle is an electric vehicle and qualifies for the toll exemption. The transponder is a small electronic box that communicates with the automatic monitoring system as you drive down the lane, allowing you to access the lanes and have tolls deducted from your account.
You can obtain a Peach Pass transponder by creating a Peach Pass account and linking it to your vehicle. This can be done through the Peach Pass website or smartphone app. Once you have created your account and linked your vehicle, you will need to set up your transponder by following these steps:
- Log in to your Peach Pass account through the website or smartphone app.
- Access the toll mode settings for your vehicle.
- Set the toll mode to "non-toll" or "exempt." This will ensure that you are not charged a toll when using the I-85 and I-85 Extension Express Lanes.
It is important to note that the I-75 express lanes are not free for electric vehicles, even with an AFV license plate and a Peach Pass transponder. These lanes have a separate toll system that does not consider transponder mode, so you will be charged the posted rate regardless of your vehicle or transponder settings. Therefore, if you plan to use the I-85 and I-85 Extension Express Lanes specifically, setting up your electric vehicle with an AFV license plate and a Peach Pass transponder set to non-toll mode will allow you to access these lanes without incurring any charges.
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The Peach Pass Advantage program offers account holders parking access and local discounts
The Peach Pass is an account-based system that allows drivers to pay for tolls and express lanes in Georgia. The Peach Pass Advantage program offers account holders additional benefits, including parking access and local discounts.
With a Peach Pass, drivers can access High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, which are highway lanes that restrict access to vehicles with multiple occupants or those willing to pay an extra fee. The number of occupants in a vehicle does not matter when using a Peach Pass, and drivers can use their account to pay the fee for these lanes. The Peach Pass system provides an account that can assess lane fees against a credit card and one or more physical transponders that communicate with an automatic monitoring system as the vehicle drives down the lane.
The Peach Pass Advantage program enhances the standard benefits of a Peach Pass account by providing account holders with parking access and local discounts. For example, account holders can use their Peach Pass for select parking options and receive promotional offers with local and regional partners, such as Stone Mountain Park and Associated Credit Union. These offers provide unique discounts and deals at destinations, venues, and events across Georgia.
It is important to note that the availability of free access for electric vehicles (EVs) with Peach Pass varies depending on the specific lane and location. While EVs with Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) license plates can generally access HOV lanes for free, this is not the case for all lanes. For instance, the newer I-75 express lanes are not free for EVs, and the I-85 lanes may also start charging EVs in 2025. Additionally, a $200+ annual fee is mandatory for all pure EVs in Georgia.
The Peach Pass Advantage program offers a range of benefits to account holders, providing not only convenient toll and express lane access but also exclusive parking and local discounts. While EVs with AFV plates used to enjoy free access to certain lanes, this may be subject to change due to the growing number of EVs on the road.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric vehicles with Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) license plates can ride for free in the I-85 Express Lanes if they have been certified through Peach Pass and are associated with an active Toll Personal or Toll Corporate Account. However, the newer I-75 Express Lanes are not free for EVs.
The AFV license plate is an Alternative Fuel Vehicle tag that allows electric vehicles to access certain toll-free lanes.
To take advantage of the EV perk, you must obtain an AFV tag. When setting up your Peach Pass account, set it up as a regular account, not a toll-exempt account.
The Peach Pass allows electric vehicles to access High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes in metro Atlanta for free, even with a single occupant.
