United States (Federal)
Air Pollution Control Program
The Air Pollution Control Program assists state, local, and tribal agencies in planning, developing, establishing, improving, and maintaining adequate programs for prevention and control of air pollution or implementation of national air quality standards. Plans may emphasize alternative fuels, vehicle maintenance, and transportation choices to reduce vehicle miles traveled. Eligible applicants may receive federal funding for up to 60% of project costs to implement their plans. (Reference 42 U.S. Code 7405)
Point of Contact
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Phone (202) 272-0167
http://www.epa.gov
Clean Cities
The mission of Clean Cities is to advance the energy, economic, and environmental security of the United States by supporting local initiatives to adopt practices that reduce the use of petroleum in the transportation sector. Clean Cities carries out this mission through a network of more than 80 volunteer coalitions, which develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction. Clean Cities provides information about financial opportunities, coordinates technical assistance projects; updates and maintains databases and Web sites, and publishes fact sheets, newsletters, and related technical and informational materials. For more information, visit the Clean Cities Web site.
Point of Contact
U.S. Department of Energy
Phone (800) 342-5363
Fax (202) 586-4403
http://www.energy.gov
Light-Duty Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Advanced Lean Burn Vehicle Tax Credit
A tax credit is available for qualified light-duty HEVs and advanced lean burn technology vehicles placed in service after December 31, 2005. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must first acknowledge the manufacturers' certifications of qualified vehicles and credit amounts, which are determined using a formula that accounts for improved fuel economy and lifetime fuel savings potential. The credit begins to phase out in the second quarter following the calendar quarter in which at least 60,000 of a manufacturer's qualifying HEVs and/or lean burn passenger automobiles and light trucks have been sold. See the IRS Hybrid Cars and Advanced Lean Burn Technology Vehicles Web site for the current list of qualified vehicles, credits, phase-out schedules, and required forms. This tax credit expires December 31, 2010. (Reference 26 U.S. Code 30B)
Point of Contact
U.S. Internal Revenue Service
Phone (800) 829-1040
http://www.irs.gov/
Vehicle Acquisition and Fuel Use Requirements for Federal Fleets
Under the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992, 75% of new light-duty vehicles acquired by certain federal fleets must be AFVs. As amended in January 2008, Section 301 of EPAct of 1992 defines AFVs to include hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and advanced lean burn vehicles. Federal fleets are also required to use alternative fuels in dual-fuel vehicles unless the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) determines an agency qualifies for a waiver; grounds for a waiver include the lack of alternative fuel availability and cost restrictions. Fleets that use fuel blends containing at least 20% biodiesel (B20) in medium- and heavy-duty vehicle may earn credits toward their annual requirements. Additionally, Executive Order 13423 requires federal agencies with 20 vehicles or more in their U.S. fleet to decrease petroleum consumption by 2% per year, relative to their Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 baseline, through FY 2015. Agencies must also continue to increase their alternative fuel use by 10% per year, relative to the previous year. For more information, visit the Federal Fleet Management Web site.
Additional requirements for federal fleets were included in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, including low greenhouse gas emitting vehicle acquisition requirements and renewable fuel infrastructure installation. These requirements are dependent upon formal rulemaking by DOE.
(Reference 42 U.S. Code 13212, and Executive Order 13423)
Point of Contact
Federal Fleet Requirements
U.S. Department of Energy
fed_fleets@afdc.nrel.gov
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/about/fleet_mgmt.html
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 Signed Into Law
President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 (House Resolution 6), designed to improve vehicle fuel economy and help reduce U.S. dependence on oil. EISA aims to increase the supply of alternative fuel sources by setting a mandatory Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requiring transportation fuel sold in the U.S. to contain a minimum of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022, including advanced and cellulosic biofuels and biomass-based diesel. In addition, the law requires the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard to reach 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020. The EISA is projected to reduce energy consumption by 7% and greenhouse gas emissions by 9% by 2030. For a summary of the major provisions set forth by the legislation, visit the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 page of the Federal Incentives & Laws Web site. The complete legislation can be viewed on the Library of Congress Web site.
Heavy-Duty Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Tax Credit
A tax credit of up to $18,000 is available for the purchase of qualified heavy-duty HEVs with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 8,500 pounds. Vehicle manufacturers must follow the procedures published in Notice 2007-23 to certify to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that a heavy-duty vehicle meets the requirements to claim the heavy-duty HEV credit and confirm the amount of the allowable credit with respect to that vehicle. See the IRS Heavy Hybrid Vehicles Web site for the current list of qualified vehicles and credits. This tax credit expires December 31, 2009. (Reference 26 U.S. Code 30B)
Point of Contact
U.S. Internal Revenue Service
Phone (800) 829-1040
http://www.irs.gov/
Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Tax Credit
A tax credit is available for the purchase of a new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicle that draws propulsion using a traction battery that has at least four kilowatt hours of capacity, uses an external source of energy to recharge the battery, has a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 14,000 pounds, and meets specified emission standards. The minimum credit amount is $2,500, and the credit may be up to $7,500, based on each vehicle's traction battery capacity and the gross vehicle weight rating. The credit will begin to be phased out for each manufacturer in the second quarter following the calendar quarter in which a minimum of 200,000 qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles have been sold by that manufacturer for use in the U.S. This tax credit applies to vehicles acquired after December 31, 2009. Through December 31, 2011, qualified plug-in electric vehicle conversions are also eligible for a tax credit for 10% of the conversion cost, not to exceed $4,000. Additionally, a tax credit of up to 10% of the cost of qualified low-speed electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and three-wheeled electric vehicles, not to exceed $2,500, is available through December 31, 2011. (Reference Public Law 111-5, Sections 1141-1144, and 26 U.S. Code 30D)
Point of Contact
U.S. Internal Revenue Service
Phone (800) 829-1040
http://www.irs.gov/
Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV) Manufacturing Incentives
Through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, manufacturers of ATVs and components for such vehicles may be eligible for direct loans for up to 30% of the cost of re-equipping, expanding, or establishing manufacturing facilities in the U.S. used to produce qualified ATVs or ATV components. Qualified ATVs must be light-duty vehicles that meet specified federal emission standards and fuel economy requirements. Qualified components must be designed for ATVs and installed for the purpose of meeting ATV performance requirements, as determined by the U.S. Department of Energy. (Reference Public Law 110-140, Section 136)
Point of Contact
U.S. Department of Energy
Phone (800) 342-5363
Fax (202) 586-4403
http://www.energy.gov
