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Dist. of Columbia Incentives and Laws

Listed below are the summaries of all current Dist. of Columbia incentives, laws, regulations, funding opportunities, and other initiatives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, advanced technologies, or air quality. You can go directly to summaries of:

• State Incentives (3)
• Utility/Private Incentives (3)
• Laws and Regulations (3)

State Incentives

Reduced Registration Fee for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

A new motor vehicle with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated average city fuel economy of at least 40 miles per gallon is eligible for a reduced vehicle registration fee of $36. This reduced rate applies to the first two years of registration. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-1501.03)

Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Title Tax Exemption

Qualified alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and motor vehicles with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated average city fuel economy of at least 40 miles per gallon are exempt from the excise tax imposed on an original certificate of title. The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles determines which AFVs qualify for this exemption. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-2201.03(j))

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Exemption from Driving Restrictions

Certified clean fuel vehicles are exempt from time-of-day and day-of-week restrictions and commercial vehicle bans, if these vehicles are part of a fleet that operates at least 10 vehicles in an ozone nonattainment area, as defined by the Clean Air Act. This exemption does not permit unrestricted access to High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, except for covered fleet vehicles that have been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Inherently Low Emission Vehicles (ILEV) and continue to be in compliance with applicable ILEV emission standards. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-702 and 50-714)

Utility/Private Incentives

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Incentive - Coulomb Technologies

Coulomb Technologies' ChargePoint America program offers EVSE at no cost to individuals or entities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. To be eligible for free home charging stations, individuals living within the specified area must purchase a qualified plug-in electric vehicle. Application information is available on the ChargePoint America website. In most cases, installation will be paid for by the EVSE owner; some cities, states, and utilities, however, will provide funding towards installation costs. All participants in the ChargePoint America program must agree to anonymous data collection after installation. Additional restrictions may apply.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Incentive - ECOtality

Through the EV Project, ECOtality offers EVSE at no cost to individuals in the District of Columbia metropolitan area. To be eligible for free home charging stations, individuals living within the specified areas must purchase a qualified plug-in electric vehicle (PEV). Individuals purchasing an eligible PEV should apply at the dealership at the time of vehicle purchase. The EV Project incentive program will also cover most, if not all, of the costs of EVSE installation. All participants in the EV Project incentive program must agree to anonymous data collection after installation. Additional restrictions may apply.

Natural Gas Fueling Infrastructure Assistance - Washington Gas

Washington Gas supports the use of natural gas vehicles and will assist in assessing the feasibility of providing natural gas service to local, state, and federal government and commercial fleets interested in owning and operating compressed natural gas fueling stations.

Laws and Regulations

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acquisition Requirements

Fleets that operate at least 10 vehicles in an ozone nonattainment area, as defined by the Clean Air Act, must ensure that 70% of newly purchased vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 pounds (lbs.) or less and 50% of vehicles with a GVWR between 8,500 lbs. and 26,000 lbs. are clean fuel vehicles. For these purposes, a clean fuel is any fuel, including diesel, ethanol (including E85), hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, reformulated gasoline, or other power source (including electricity) used in a clean fuel vehicle that complies with standards and requirements applicable to such vehicles. Certain exemptions apply. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-702 through 50-703)

Idle Reduction Requirement

A diesel- or gasoline-powered motor vehicle may not idle for more than three consecutive minutes, except under the following conditions: 1) to operate power takeoff equipment including, but not limited to, cement mixers, refrigeration systems, and delivery vehicles; 2) to operate private passenger vehicles; or 3) to operate heating equipment for five minutes when the ambient temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. (Reference District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Title 20, Chapter 9, Section 900.1)

Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards

Under the Clean Cars Act of 2008, the Mayor of the District of Columbia must establish an LEV program by adopting the California emissions standards and compliance requirements applicable for Model Year 2012 and subsequent model year vehicles, as set forth in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. The Mayor may adopt, by rule, motor vehicle programs for emissions inspection, recall, and warranty requirements; may work in cooperation, and enter into agreements with, other states to administer requirements of the program; must work in conjunction with other states to promote and facilitate the regional adoption of similar low-emissions vehicle programs; and must educate the residents of the District on the requirements of any adopted LEV program. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-731)