Alternative Fuels -- State Regulations for DC

This page contains selected data from the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) at the U. S. Department of Energy. Additional details and the latest updates may be found at the AFDC summary page for DC.

Vehicle Acquisition

Fleets

Fleets that operate at least 10 vehicles in an ozone nonattainment area, as defined by the Clean Air Act, must ensure that 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. are clean fuel vehicles. For these purposes, a clean fuel is any fuel, including diesel, ethanol (including E85), hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, reformulated gasoline, or other power source (including electricity) used in a clean fuel vehicle that complies with standards and requirements applicable to such vehicles. Certain exemptions apply. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-702 through 50-703)

General

Fee Reduction (fuel economy)

A new motor vehicle with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated average city fuel economy of at least 40 miles per gallon is eligible for a reduced vehicle registration fee of $36. This reduced rate applies to the first two years of registration. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-1501.03)

Traffic Exemption (time of use restrictions)

Certified clean fuel vehicles are exempt from time-of-day and day-of-week restrictions and commercial vehicle bans, if these vehicles are part of a fleet that operates at least 10 vehicles in an ozone nonattainment 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Inherently Low Emission Vehicles (ILEV) and continue to be in compliance with applicable ILEV emission standards. (Reference District of Columbia Code 50-702 and 50-714)