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Rhode Island Incentives and Laws

Listed below are the summaries of all current Rhode Island 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 (2)
• Laws and Regulations (7)

State Incentives

Biodiesel Tax Exemption

Biodiesel is exempt from the $0.30 per gallon state motor fuel tax. Biodiesel may be blended with other fuel for use in motor vehicles, but only the biodiesel portion of the blended fuel is tax exempt. Biodiesel is defined as fuel that is derived from vegetable oils or animal fats and conforms to ASTM D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines and results in employment at a manufacturing facility for biodiesel fuel. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 31-36-1)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Tax Exemption - Warren

The town of Warren may allow excise tax exemptions of up to $100 for qualified AFVs registered in Warren. Qualified vehicles must be primarily fueled with one of the following: an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable batteries or fuel cells; gas produced from biomass, where biomass is defined as any organic material other than oil, natural gas, and coal; liquid, gaseous or solid synthetic fuels produced from coal; or coke or coke gas. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 44-34-14)

Laws and Regulations

Clean School Bus Requirements

Full-size school buses equipped with an engine from Model Year (MY) 1993 or older may not be used to transport school children in Rhode Island. Additionally, provided that there is sufficient federal or state funding, by September 1, 2012, all full-size school buses transporting children in the state must be retrofitted with a closed crankcase ventilation system and either: 1) be equipped with a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 emissions control retrofit device the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has verified; 2) be equipped with a MY 2007 or newer engine; or 3) achieve the same or greater reductions in diesel particulate matter as compared to an alternative fuel, such as compressed natural gas, and be verified by CARB/EPA to reduce diesel particulate matter emissions at a level equivalent to or greater than a MY 2007 or newer engine. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 31-47.3-3)

Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has adopted California's LEV regulations applicable to passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles, as set forth in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. Vehicles offered for sale or lease, imported, delivered, or registered in the state must meet California exhaust and greenhouse gas emissions standards. (Reference Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Regulation No. 37)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Acquisition Requirements

To reduce fuel consumption and pollution emissions, and purchase vehicles that provide the best value on a lifecycle cost basis, the state must take the following actions:

1. At least 75% of state motor vehicle acquisitions must be AFVs, and the remaining 25% must be HEVs to the greatest extent possible;
2. All new light-duty trucks in the state fleet must achieve a minimum city fuel economy of 19 miles per gallon (mpg) and achieve at least a Low Emission Vehicle certification, and all new passenger vehicles in the state fleet must achieve a minimum city fuel economy of 23 mpg;
3. All state agencies must purchase the most economical, fuel-efficient, and lowest emissions vehicles appropriate to meet any needed requirements and discourage the purchase of sport utility vehicles;
4. All state agencies must purchase low rolling resistance tires with superior tread life for state vehicles when possible; and
5. All state vehicles must be maintained according to manufacturer specifications, including specified tire pressures and ratings.

The state must also prepare an annual report to the governor on compliance with these goals. (Reference Executive Order 05-13, 2005)

Biofuels Promotion

The Biofuels Study Commission (Commission) is established to study the feasibility and effectiveness of incentives that promote the development and use of advanced biofuels in the state, including production credits, feedstock incentives, and direct use consumer credits. The Commission will also explore the possibility of entering into an agreement with the states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to develop and implement a low carbon fuel standard for transportation fuels. The Commission must report results and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 23, 2012, and report at least every two years thereafter. The Commission must also continue to make recommendations to the General Assembly as necessary. (Reference House Bill 5390, 2011, and Rhode Island General Laws 31-37.3)

Idle Reduction Requirement

Motor vehicles may not idle unnecessarily for longer than five consecutive minutes during any 60-minute period. This includes heavy-duty diesel vehicles used to perform any state public works contracts. Unnecessary idling does not include circumstances exempted by regulations the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has adopted, such as when it is necessary to operate heating and cooling equipment to ensure the health or safety of drivers and passengers. The following vehicles are also exempt from these requirements: 1) emergency response, public safety, or military vehicles; 2) armored vehicles being loaded or unloaded; 3) non-road vehicles; and 4) vehicles making deliveries of fuel or energy products. Violators of these regulations will be fined up to $100 for the first offense and up to $500 for each succeeding offense. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 23-23-29.2 and 31-16.1-4)

Emissions Control Requirement

Heavy-duty diesel vehicles used to perform federally funded state public works contracts must be powered by engines with Level 3 emissions control devices that are properly operated and maintained. If the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management determines that no verified Level 3 devices are appropriate on particular engines, Level 2 devices are required. Likewise, if no verified Level 2 devices are appropriate, Level 1 devices are required. Exceptions to this requirement include snow removal vehicles and equipment, farm equipment, emergency response vehicles, standby generators, and vehicles used on a project for less than 30 total work days over the life of the project. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 31-47.3-5)

Low-Speed Vehicle Access to Roadways - Prudence Island

A low-speed vehicle may operate on the roadways of Prudence Island between the hours of 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. A low-speed vehicle may not operate on a street or highway with a posted speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour (mph), but it may cross a street or highway with a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph. For the purpose of this regulation, a low-speed vehicle is defined as a self-propelled, electric or gas powered motor vehicle that is designed to carry no more than four passengers; is designed to be and is operated at speeds of not more than 25 mph; and conforms to the maximum safety equipment requirements and standards specified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 31-19.4-1)