Tennessee Incentives and Laws for HEVs / PHEVs
The list below contains summaries of all Tennessee incentives and laws related to HEVs / PHEVs.
State Incentives
Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Development Program
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation provides funding for alternative fueling infrastructure improvements through the FastTrack Infrastructure Development Program. Private sector businesses may use funds to locate or expand fueling infrastructure in the state and to create or retain jobs for Tennesseans. Other restrictions may apply.
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption
Vehicles that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines as Inherently Low Emission Vehicles or Low Emission and Energy-Efficient Vehicles and have gross vehicle weight ratings of 26,000 pounds or less are permitted use of HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants. Such vehicles must display a Tennessee Department of Revenue decal. (Reference Tennessee Code 55-8-188)
Utility/Private Incentives
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Incentive - ECOtality
Through the EV Project, ECOtality offers EVSE at no cost to individuals in the Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, and Chattanooga metropolitan areas. To be eligible for free home charging stations, individuals living within the specified areas must purchase a qualified electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Individuals purchasing an eligible EV or PHEV 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.
Point of Contact
EV Project Contact Center
ECOtality
theevproject@ecotality.com
Laws and Regulations
Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Acquisition and Use Requirements
The Tennessee Department of General Services must ensure that at least 25% of newly purchased passenger motor vehicles procured for use in areas designated as ozone nonattainment areas are hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), provided that such vehicles are available at the time of procurement. If HEVs are not available, conventional gasoline vehicles achieving an average fuel economy of at least 25 miles per gallon (mpg) may satisfy the requirement. In areas not designated as ozone nonattainment areas, at least 25% of newly purchased passenger motor vehicles must be either HEVs or conventional gasoline vehicles achieving an average fuel economy of at least 25 mpg.
State fleets must make every effort to achieve the goal that 100% of newly purchased motor vehicles are energy-efficient vehicles. Energy-efficient vehicles are defined as passenger vehicles that are alternative fuel vehicles using alternative fuels, as defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992; HEVs; conventional gasoline vehicles achieving an average fuel economy of at least 25 mpg; or vehicles powered by ultra-low sulfur diesel achieving an average fuel economy of at least 30 mpg. Additionally, state agencies should strive to use ethanol and biodiesel in appropriate state-owned vehicles whenever possible and should support the development of biofuels fueling infrastructure.
(Reference Tennessee Code 4-3-1109 and Executive Order 33, 2006)
Energy Task Force
The Governor's Task Force on Energy Policy is developing a state energy plan to facilitate energy efficiency and the use of alternative and renewable fuels in Tennessee. The energy plan will include a summary of opportunities for the state government to use an energy-efficient approach in purchasing and managing the state vehicle fleet; prospective policies, legislation, and incentives to encourage energy efficiency; possible public-private partnerships to encourage research and development of clean energy technologies; and strategies for expanding the use of alternative and renewable fuels.(Reference Executive Order 54, 2008)
