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Washington Incentives and Laws

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

Beginning January 1, 2009, new passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles that are dedicated AFVs are exempt from the state sales and use tax. Qualified vehicles must operate exclusively on natural gas, propane, hydrogen, or electricity, meet the California motor vehicle emissions standards effective January 1, 2005, and comply with the rules of the Washington Department of Ecology. In addition, all new passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles that utilize hybrid electric technology and have a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated highway fuel economy of at least 40 miles per gallon are exempt from state sales and use tax. This tax exemption expires January 1, 2011. (Reference Revised Code of Washington 82.08.809 and 82.08.813)