Florida Electric Laws and Incentives
State Laws and Regulations
Low-Speed Vehicle Access to Roadways
A low-speed vehicle, including a neighborhood electric vehicle, is defined as any four-wheeled electric vehicle capable of achieving a top speed between 20 and 25 miles per hour. Low-speed vehicles must comply with the safety standards in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, sections 571.500 and 316.2122 and be licensed as required under state guidelines. Use of low-speed vehicles by seasonal delivery personnel is restricted to certain yearly timeframes. (Reference House Bill 405, 2009, Senate Bill 1100, 2009, and Florida Statutes 316.2126, 320.01(42), and 320.0847)
State Energy and Climate Commission
The Florida Energy and Climate Commission (FECC) was created through the state's 2008 comprehensive energy legislation, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage investment in alternative and renewable energy technologies. The FECC's responsibilities include administering financial incentive programs, completing annual assessments of Florida's Energy and Climate Change Action Plan, and providing recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on energy and climate change policies. The FECC also works cooperatively with other state entities to develop state energy and climate change policies and programs. (Reference Florida Statutes 377.6015)
Alternative Fuels Tax
A person operating an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) must purchase an annual decal from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles in lieu of paying the excise tax on gasoline. Fueling stations are not allowed to fuel an AFV that does not display the proper decal. State and local government AFV fleets are exempt from paying the decal fee. In addition to the state alternative fuel fee imposed by this section, a person fueling a vehicle from their own facility is required to pay a local alternative fuel fee in lieu of each cent of excise tax levied by a county. (Reference Florida Statutes 206.877)
Alternative Fuel License
An individual who wishes to be a wholesale distributor of an alternative fuel must first obtain a license from the Florida Department of Revenue. (Reference Florida Statutes 206.89)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Surcharge Exemption
EVs are protected from insurance surcharges based on factors such as new technology, passenger payload, weight-to-horsepower ratio, and the types of material used to manufacture the vehicle, unless the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation receives actuarial data that determines the surcharges are justified. (Reference Florida Statutes 627.06535)
