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District of Columbia E85 Laws and Incentives


State Incentives

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Tax Exemption

The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles Reform Amendment Act of 2004 allows for the exemption of vehicle excise taxes for owners of HEVs, AFVs, and lean-burn vehicles, provided that the vehicle qualifies for the federal tax credit under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Additionally, vehicle registration fees for qualified HEVs and AFVs are reduced to $36.00 per year. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-2201.03(j)(3) and 50-1501.03)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Exemption from Driving Restrictions

Clean fuel vehicles are exempt from time-of-day and day-of-week restrictions and commercial vehicle bans, in fleets operating at least 10 vehicles in an ozone non-attainment area, as defined by the Clean Air Act. This exemption does not permit unrestricted access to High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, except for covered fleet vehicles that have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency as Inherently Low Emission Vehicles (ILEV) and continue to be in compliance with applicable ILEV emission standards. For this exemption, a clean fuel vehicle is a motor vehicle that has been certified to meet a set of emission standards that classifies it as a clean fuel vehicle. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-714)

State Laws and Regulations

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirements

For covered fleets, 70% of newly purchased vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 8,500 pounds (lbs.) or less, and 50% of vehicles with a GVWR between 8,500 lbs. and 26,000 lbs., must be clean fuel vehicles. For this requirement, a clean fuel is any fuel, including methanol, ethanol (including E85), reformulated gasoline, diesel, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, or other power source (including electricity) used in a clean fuel vehicle that complies with standards and requirements applicable to such vehicles when using these fuels or other power source. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-703)