New York Hybrid Electric Vehicle Laws and Incentives
State Incentives
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Access
Through the Clean Pass Program, eligible hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) may use the Long Island Expressway HOV lanes, regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle. Vehicles must display the Clean Pass vehicle sticker, available from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. For a list of eligible vehicles, see the Clean Pass Program Web site.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Electric Vehicle (EV) Funding - New York City
The New York City Private Fleet Alternative Fuel/Electric Vehicle Program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in cooperation with New York City Department of Transportation, helps private companies operating vehicles in New York City to acquire AFVs. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis for up to 50% of the incremental cost of purchasing new light-duty natural gas vehicles (NGVs) or EVs, and up to 80% of the incremental cost for purchasing new or converting medium- and heavy-duty NGVs (dedicated and bi-fuel), EVs, or hybrid electric vehicles. Eligible projects may also include installation of AFV fueling or recharging station infrastructure.
State Laws and Regulations
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirements
State agencies and other affected entities must procure increasing percentages of AFVs as part of their annual vehicle acquisition plans; hybrid electric vehicles qualify under these requirements. By 2010, 100% of all new light-duty vehicles must be AFVs, with the exception of designated specialty, police, or emergency vehicles. State agencies and other affected entities that operate medium- and heavy-duty vehicles must implement strategies to reduce petroleum consumption and emissions by using alternative fuels and improving vehicle fleet fuel efficiency. State agencies and other affected entities may substitute the use of 450 gallons of B100 for the acquisition of one AFV. Alternatively, the use of 2,250 gallons of B20 or use of 9,000 gallons of B5 may also be substituted in place of purchasing one AFV. No more than 50% of a given state agency fleet's AFV purchase requirement may be met by substituting B100, B20, or B5 in accordance with this Executive Order. (Reference Executive Order 111, 2001, and Executive Order 142, 2005 (PDF 238KB)) Download Adobe Reader
Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards
Each Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) sales fleet of passenger cars and light-duty trucks produced and delivered for sale in New York State must be made up of at least the same percentage of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) set forth in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 1962. An alternative compliance program has been instituted to expand the options available to OEMs in order to meet the mandate. Under this program, OEMs must make the following commitments:
- By Model Year (MY) 2008, 7% of vehicles must be partial ZEV (PZEV), 2% advanced technology PZEV, and 1% ZEV, which could be battery-electric or fuel cell vehicles;
- Any ZEV or PZEV models available in California must also be made available in New York State.
Beginning in MY 2009, no individual or company may sell, lease, import, deliver, purchase, or acquire any new light-duty passenger car, light-duty truck, or medium-duty passenger vehicle in the state unless the vehicle is certified to the California emission standards stated in the California Code of Regulations. Also beginning in MY 2009, OEMs must meet a fleet average greenhouse gas emissions standard, as defined in the California Code of Regulations, which will become more stringent each year through 2016.
(Reference New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regulations Chapter III - Air Resources, Part 218)
