Vermont Incentives and Laws
Listed below are the summaries of all current Vermont 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
Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) and Infrastructure Funding
The Clean Energy Development Fund provides funding for projects that involve the purchase of dedicated NGVs and development of natural gas fueling infrastructure. To qualify for funding, the NGV must produce fewer emissions than commercially available vehicles using conventional fuel, and fueling infrastructure must deliver natural gas without interruption. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 10, Chapter 157, Section 6523)
Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Research and Development Tax Credit
Vermont businesses that qualify as a high-tech business involved exclusively in the design, development, and manufacture of alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, all-electric vehicles, or energy technology involving fuel sources other than fossil fuels are eligible for up to three of the following tax credits: 1) payroll income tax credit; 2) qualified research and development income tax credit; 3) export tax credit; 4) small business investment tax credit; and 5) high-tech growth tax credit. Certain limits and restrictions apply. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 32, Chapter 151, Section 5930a, c, f, g, and k)
Utility/Private Incentives
Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Incentives - Vermont Gas Systems
Vermont Gas Systems will provide technical assistance on a case-by-case basis to customers interested in purchasing and operating NGVs.
Point of Contact
Owen Brady
Key Account Representative
Vermont Gas Systems
Phone: (802) 863-4511 x338
Fax: (802) 863-8872
obrady@vermontgas.com
Laws and Regulations
Green Workforce Collaborative
The Vermont Workforce Development Council and the Department of Labor will create a Green Workforce Collaborative to develop and promote career training and employment opportunities for Vermont residents in green industry sectors, including the energy-efficient, low emission, and advanced vehicles industry; the mass transit fleet conversion industry; and the biofuels industry. These programs will enhance the economic and environmental vitality of the state and give priority to programs that provide education, training, and other services to target populations. (Reference House Bill 313, 2009)
Low Emission Vehicle Standards
New vehicles sold or offered for sale in Vermont must meet California emissions and compliance requirements in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. Requirements apply to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 14,000 pounds. Manufacturers must comply with Zero Emission Vehicle sales requirements and greenhouse gas emissions requirements. (Reference Vermont Air Pollution Control Regulations)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirements
The Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services must consider AFVs when purchasing vehicles for state use, provided that the alternative fuel is suitable for the vehicle's operation, is available in the region where the vehicle will be used, and is competitively priced with conventional fuels. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 29, Chapter 49, Section 903)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Promotion
The Vermont Climate Cabinet is responsible for, among other duties, identifying strategies to reduce Vermont's greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuel for transportation by encouraging AFVs and more efficient vehicle and mobility choices. (Reference Executive Order 05-11, 2011)
State Agency Energy Plan Transportation Requirements
The Vermont Agency of Administration developed and oversees the implementation of the State Agency Energy Plan (Plan). The Agency of Administration must modify the Plan as necessary and re-adopt it on or before January 15 of each fifth year. As specified in the 2010 Plan, the Vermont Agency of Transportation must continue to use 5% biodiesel (B5) in its fleet of heavy-duty vehicles. The Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services must continue to use hybrid electric vehicles and Partial Zero Emission Vehicles in its fleet, while adjusting purchases based on annual fleet selection monitoring and available vehicle technology. All state agencies must investigate the use of additional alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, as well as the necessary fueling infrastructure, such as incorporating electric vehicle supply equipment at appropriate state facilities.
The Plan specifies the responsibilities of the Climate Neutral Working Group (Working Group). All state government agencies, offices, and departments must purchase the most fuel-efficient vehicles available in each vehicle class according to specifications set by the Working Group. The Working Group must consider vehicles that meet high fuel economy standards and emit reduced levels of greenhouse gases, criteria pollutants, and hazardous air contaminants. Additionally, the Working Group must expand education and tracking related to anti-idling campaigns for state fleet vehicles and private sector vehicles operating on state owned property, and conduct a survey to determine the level of government employee participating in carpooling, vanpooling, and other commuting options.
(Reference Vermont Statutes Title 3, Chapter 45, Section 2291, and Executive Order 14-03, 2003)
Idle Reduction Requirement
School bus operators must turn off the bus engine immediately after arriving at a student loading and unloading area located on school grounds, and may not start the engine until the bus is ready to leave the school grounds. In addition, operators may not idle the engine for more than five minutes in a 60 minute period on school grounds. Exceptions include periods when the engine is necessary to operate special equipment for disabled persons; to address safety, traffic, health, or emergency concerns; or to service the vehicle. (Reference Vermont State Board of Education Rules and Practices 6001 through 6005, and Vermont Statutes Title 23, Chapter 13, Section 1282f)
Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) Access to Roadways
A NEV is defined as an electric vehicle that is designed to operate at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (mph); carries up to four people; has at least four wheels and a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds; and conforms to the minimum safety equipment requirements as adopted in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. A NEV may only be used on roads with a posted speed limit of up to 35 mph. The operator of a NEV may cross a highway that has a speed limit of up to 50 mph if the crossing begins and ends on a road authorized for use by NEVs and the intersection has a traffic control signal. The State Traffic Committee or the legislative body of a municipality for town highways may prohibit NEVs from crossing specific intersections in their jurisdiction if the decision is made in the interest of public safety. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 23, Chapter 1, Section 4, and Chapter 13, Sections 1007a and 1043)