[vincentwu800]

I received my California HOV decal (the one we can use on HOV lanes even if we are driving alone, due to the electric car benefit). They're so ugly! Two big two small, orange color.

I hesitated a lot about whether to put them on - so destroying the outlook of my iX! But it does provide some benefits during rush hours on my work commute. So I bought the magnetic sheets on Amazon and tried to stick them on the fenders etc. (my idea was to use it on weekdays when I normally just park my iX at my workplace's garage and home and remove them on weekends when I go outside). However, I found they only stick on the back fenders (the panel with the charging port).

Now I'm thinking to learn from youtube and buy a piece of PPF and stick the decal on the PPF, and then stick the PPF to the lower back bumper, which is clear plastic. Will that work? Or, in order to just stick on the plastic bumper, I don't need to use PPF (which is normally used on paint car body) and some other easier ways work better - ideally removable when needed

Anyone have a similar issue? Thanks

 

[iX_Los Angeles]

seems like back of car visibility only would be okay since CHPs would likely be creeping behind you anyways. I might do same thing, living in Los Angeles. Can you briefly describe process to obtain HOVs? My initial research had proved iX was ineligible, but that now appears disproven...

 

[vincentwu800]

seems like back of car visibility only would be okay since CHPs would likely be creeping behind you anyways. I might do same thing, living in Los Angeles. Can you briefly describe process to obtain HOVs? My initial research had proved iX was ineligible, but that now appears disproven...

just fill in this form and mail it to the address on it. It took me about 20 days to receive the decal.https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/application-for-clean-air-vehicle-decal-reg-1000-pdf/
Will you use the magnetic, or something to stick on the plastic bumper? The thing bothering me is what thing to get the decal to stick to the bumper. I learned that directly using the sticker will (1) very hard to remove (2) can't re-stick as there seems some little technology to void the decal when you remove it in a hard way...

 

[iX_Los Angeles]

thanks!! i will probably use 3M small sticky tape tabs and put underneath each decal to slap on when needed, and use something slick to keep them on during non-use and stored in glove box. Agree with you, these eye sores will not be on my vehicle permanently.

 

[iX_Los Angeles]

thanks!! i will probably use 3M small sticky tape tabs and put underneath each decal to slap on when needed, and use something slick to keep them on during non-use and stored in glove box. Agree with you, these eye sores will not be on my vehicle permanently.

furthermore, i will likely keep back part of sticker on and will never formally remove it due to issues you noted above. My concern is the wear and tear that 3M will potentially have on factory paint over an extended use...

 

[vincentwu800]

furthermore, i will likely keep back part of sticker on and will never formally remove it due to issues you noted above. My concern is the wear and tear that 3M will potentially have on factory paint over an extended use...

Indeed! that's exactly what I'm thinking (not to remove the official back part of the sticker). If we use 3M, my hunch is it won't destroy anything because we're going to stick on the bottom plastic bumper, which has no paint on it? (check your car and you know what I mean). However, my concern is the 3M tab won't last with rain / time etc. so that sticker may come off on the road? It looks DMW won't give you replacement because many folks want to have these stickers (and folks even steal them).

 

[skubapooh]

We have the same dilemma. We were thinking of buying these:

Amazon.com: California HOV Stickers 3M Paint Protection Film - 2023 (Yellow) : Automotive

Buy California HOV Stickers 3M Paint Protection Film - 2023 (Yellow): Protective Shields - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[vincentwu800]

We have the same dilemma. We were thinking of buying these:

Amazon.com: California HOV Stickers 3M Paint Protection Film - 2023 (Yellow) : Automotive

Buy California HOV Stickers 3M Paint Protection Film - 2023 (Yellow): Protective Shields - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

yes I'm thinking to use PPF too (by the way you can save a few bucks by just buying a piece of ppf and cut it yourself, but no big deal). My question is - these will work well on Telsa etc. as it will stick to the paint body. But for iX, probably we're going to stick to the lower bumper which is plastic. Will PPF stick as good as it is on paint body?

 

[skubapooh]

yes I'm thinking to use PPF too (by the way you can save a few bucks by just buying a piece of ppf and cut it yourself, but no big deal). My question is - these will work well on Telsa etc. as it will stick to the paint body. But for iX, probably we're going to stick to the lower bumper which is plastic. Will PPF stick as good as it is on paint body?

I'm guessing that it won't stick well on the plastic bumper. But could we mount it just above the bumper? It's the same general area.

 

[jeffgtx]

having gone through this many many times, just stick it on the car. it will come off in 3 years time when it expires with a heat gun or hair dryer on a mild setting and you won't even know you had it on there. you don't need to go through this hassle.

 

[iX_Los Angeles]

having gone through this many many times, just stick it on the car. it will come off in 3 years time when it expires with a heat gun or hair dryer on a mild setting and you won't even know you had it on there. you don't need to go through this hassle.

we think it is very ugly hence we are embarking on this hassle...

 

[Moesess]

It’s silly that states make you do this. Just make people get ez passes or something. I rather a transponder than a sticker our very expensive luxury cars.

 

[SoFreshSoClean]

Yeah, living in the Bay Area I travel on 80 and 880. My PPF installer just fabricated a little PPF pouch for me. Stick it and forget it

 

[phildas1]

I received my California HOV decal (the one we can use on HOV lanes even if we are driving alone, due to the electric car benefit). They're so ugly! Two big two small, orange color.

I hesitated a lot about whether to put them on - so destroying the outlook of my iX! But it does provide some benefits during rush hours on my work commute. So I bought the magnetic sheets on Amazon and tried to stick them on the fenders etc. (my idea was to use it on weekdays when I normally just park my iX at my workplace's garage and home and remove them on weekends when I go outside). However, I found they only stick on the back fenders (the panel with the charging port).

Now I'm thinking to learn from youtube and buy a piece of PPF and stick the decal on the PPF, and then stick the PPF to the lower back bumper, which is clear plastic. Will that work? Or, in order to just stick on the plastic bumper, I don't need to use PPF (which is normally used on paint car body) and some other easier ways work better - ideally removable when needed

Anyone have a similar issue? Thanks

To show how messed up the CA DMV is. I sent my $22 fee to the DMV with my form filled out for HOV stickers in early January. Saw my check was cashed last week and expected to get my HOV stickers in a few weeks. Lo and behold I received a new registration card in the mail yesterday. Now I have start the whole process over again. WTF!!!

 

[NomoTesla]

Stupid, stupid California legislators. Why not do like Arizona where every car w/ EV plate gets HOV access? No decals or stickers are needed.

 

[skubapooh]

To show how messed up the CA DMV is. I sent my $22 fee to the DMV with my form filled out for HOV stickers in early January. Saw my check was cashed last week and expected to get my HOV stickers in a few weeks. Lo and behold I received a new registration card in the mail yesterday. Now I have start the whole process over again. WTF!!!

Actually, the same thing just happened to us. I'm not sure you'd have to start the whole process over again though. The duplicate registration card may just be a byproduct of the sticker-issuing process.

 

[alphanstein]

Actually, the same thing just happened to us. I'm not sure you'd have to start the whole process over again though. The duplicate registration card may just be a byproduct of the sticker-issuing process.

You are supposed to only submit for stickers after you have a license number assigned. Then once you submit, you should get the stickers eventually. It looks like they issue an updated registration that is reflective of EV qualification status.

The EV program is income based, so not every owner will qualify. Read the details of the program before making general trashing statements.

 

[phildas1]

Don’t need any lecturing from you. Has nothing to do with whether I qualify or not, or details of the program. I called DMV and after waiting for 2 hours was told they screwed up and to reapply again.

 

[SoFreshSoClean]

Stupid, stupid California legislators. Why not do like Arizona where every car w/ EV plate gets HOV access? No decals or stickers are needed.

Money grab, of course

 

[SoFreshSoClean]

To show how messed up the CA DMV is. I sent my $22 fee to the DMV with my form filled out for HOV stickers in early January. Saw my check was cashed last week and expected to get my HOV stickers in a few weeks. Lo and behold I received a new registration card in the mail yesterday. Now I have start the whole process over again. WTF!!!

Along the same lines, I ordered vanity plates Sept of last year. Just got them last week. Problem is, they messed up. Called DMV and they said mistakes happen [with prisoners] but in order to get them corrected, I would have surrender the incorrect plates and wait for the Dept of Corrections to make a corrected set . . . . and wait another several months 🤬