Nevada Incentives and Laws

Last Updated September 2009

Nevada is the home of the Las Vegas Regional, Inc. (www.lasvegascleancities.org), and the Eastern Sierra Regional, Inc. Clean Cities Coalitions. Coordinator contact information is listed in the Points of Contact section.

State Incentives

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Taxicab Exemption

HEVs operating as taxicabs may remain in operation for an additional 24 months beyond the existing limits. Existing limits restrict vehicles used as taxicabs to operate for a period of up to 67 months for new vehicles or 55 months for used vehicles with less than 30,000 miles on the odometer. (Reference Senate Bill 9, 2009, and Nevada Revised Statutes 706.8834)

State Laws and Regulations

Support for Use of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

The Nevada legislature recommends that the U.S. Congress enact legislation authorizing HEVs to qualify for compliance under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 as a practical and economic way to reduce emissions and lessen the use of foreign oil. (Reference Senate Joint Resolution 9, 2009)

Authorization for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

The Nevada Department of Transportation is authorized, in consultation with the Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to establish a program allowing federally certified low emission and energy-efficient vehicles to operate in HOV lanes regardless of the number of passengers. (Reference Assembly Bill 163, 2009, and Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 484)

Alternative Fuel Study

The Nevada legislature proposes to conduct an interim study concerning the production and use of energy in the state. The study will include the use and availability of transportation fuels and related facilities, including alternative fuels and motor vehicle electrification, and a review of the extent and potential for biofuels production in Nevada including biodiesel, ethanol from nonfood sources, algae-based fuel, and other emerging fuel technologies. (Reference Senate Concurrent Resolution 19, 2009)

Biodiesel Producer Requirements

Biodiesel is defined as a fuel composed of mono-alkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids or any other fuel sold or labeled as biodiesel which is suitable for use as a fuel in a motor vehicle. A special fuel manufacturer is a person who manufactures, blends, produces, refines, prepares, distills or compounds only special fuel containing biodiesel or biodiesel blend in Nevada for personal use in the state or for sale or delivery in or outside of the state. Special fuel manufacturers are required to obtain a license from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and report quantities of biodiesel fuel produced or blended in the state as well as contact information for purchasers or recipients of the biodiesel fuel. Manufacturers must ensure that biodiesel blends produced do not exceed total volumes established by the DMV. (Reference Senate Bill 332, 2009, and Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 366)

Alternative Fuel Use in County School Districts

Transportation equipment purchased by county school district general funds and used for transporting pupils must fall into the following categories: 1) motor vehicles that use biodiesel, compressed natural gas, or similar emissions-reducing fuels; 2) equipment to retrofit motor vehicles to use these fuels; or 3) equipment for the transportation, storage, or dispensing of these fuels. (Reference Assembly Bill 563, 2009)

Funds for School District Alternative Fuel Use

A portion of any penalty assessed for violations of air pollution control laws must be deposited in the county school district fund of the county where the violation occurred. Expenditures from such a fund must be approved by the local air pollution control board and are limited to: 1) programs of education on topics relating to air quality; and 2) projects to improve air quality, including the purchase and installation of equipment to retrofit school buses to operate on biodiesel, compressed natural gas, or a similar fuel formulated to reduce gasoline and diesel fuel emissions within the school district. (Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 445B.500)

Provision for Establishment of Alternative Fuel Incentives

In conjunction with the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is authorized to develop and administer a program to provide incentives to encourage the use of alternative fuels in motor vehicles, specifically by individuals and others not required by state statute to purchase alternative fuel vehicles. (Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 486A.200)

Alternative Fuel Tax

Special fuels have a reduced special fuels tax. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used to operate a motor vehicle is taxed at a rate of $0.22 per gallon, and compressed natural gas (CNG) used to operate a motor vehicle is taxed at a rate of $0.21 per gallon. For the purpose of taxing the sale or use of LPG or CNG, 125 cubic feet of CNG or LPG is considered equal to one gallon of special fuel. (Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 366.190 and 366.197)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirement

Fleets containing 50 or more vehicles that are owned, leased, or operated by the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision of the state in a county whose population is 100,000 or more are mandated to acquire AFVs or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certified Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs). Beginning in Fiscal Year 2000 and each subsequent year, 90% of new vehicles obtained by covered fleets must be either AFVs or certified ULEVs. A fleet may meet the acquisition requirements by converting existing or newly acquired vehicles to operate on alternative fuels. An AFV acquired in compliance with this mandate must operate solely on the alternative fuel except when operating in an area where the appropriate alternative fuel is unavailable. Fleets with buses and/or heavy-duty vehicles are included. (Reference Senate Bill 332, 2009, Nevada Administrative Code 486A.010-486A.250, and Nevada Revised Statutes 486A.010-486A.180)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Emissions Inspection Exemption

AFVs are exempt from the emissions testing requirements of the Nevada Emissions Control Program. New HEVs are exempt from emission inspection testing for the first six years, after which the vehicle is required to comply with emissions inspection testing requirements on an annual basis. (Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 445B.770-445B.825)

Idle Reduction Requirement

A person may not idle the engine of a diesel truck or a bus for more than 15 consecutive minutes. Exemptions apply to diesel trucks or buses: for which the State Environmental Commission has issued a variance from this requirement; which are emergency vehicles; used for removal of snow; used to repair or maintain other vehicles; which are stopped due to traffic congestion; which are undergoing repair or maintenance; producing emissions that are contained and treated according to State Environmental Commission methods; which must idle to perform a specific task. (Reference Nevada Administrative Code 445B.576)

Low-Speed Vehicle Access to Roadways

A low-speed vehicle is defined as a four-wheeled motor vehicle with an unladen weight of 1,800 pounds or less, that is capable of operating at a speed of at least 20 miles per hour (mph) but not greater than 25 mph. The operator of a low-speed vehicle is not allowed to operate the vehicle on any roadway with a speed limit greater than 35 mph. (Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 484.527)

Utilities/Private Incentives

There are currently no known utility or private incentives offered in Nevada.

Points of Contact:

NAME/EMAIL/TITLE	AGENCY	PHONE/FAX
Dan Hyde Executive Director and Clean Cities Coordinator	Las Vegas Regional Clean Cities Coalition, Inc.	Phone:(702) 229-6971 Fax:(702) 464-5735
James Brandmueller Clean Cities Coordinator	Eastern Sierra Regional Clean Cities Coalition, Inc.	Phone:(775) 323-5879 Fax:(775) 329-2124
Kay Kelly Project Manager	U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Office	Phone:(303) 275-6037 Fax:
Nick Haven Principal Transportation Planner	Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization	Phone:(775) 589-5256 Fax:(775) 588-4527
Collette Craig AFV Contact, Region 9	U.S. General Services Administration	Phone:(928) 524-3975 Fax:(928) 524-2324