Alternative-fuel vehicles — from electric cars to propane powered transportation — with just a driver will no longer be eligible to travel in the Valley’s high-occupancy vehicle lanes starting Oct. 1.

That change will occur barring any reprieve at the federal level, where a provision of federal code allowing for the exemption is set to lapse, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Typical, HOV lanes are occupied by vehicles with two or more passengers during specific hours. In the Valley’s case, those hours run 6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m.

With the exemption ending, vehicles with the alternative fuels or energy efficient license plates no longer will be able to use the lane during specific times could face a minimum fine of $400, according to ADOT.

While electric vehicles are the more noticeable ones traveling in the lanes, the exemption also applied to those vehicles using natural gas, propane, hydrogen, coal-derived liquid fuels, biofuels, methanol, denatured alcohol or other alcohols, and mixtures containing at lease 85% methanol or other alcohols.

ADOT has set up a page regarding the change at azdot.gov/HOVRule.