Alternative Fuels -- State Regulations for Florida

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 Florida.

Vehicle Acquisition

State agency vehicles

When procuring new vehicles under a state purchasing plan, all Florida state agency, state university, community college, and local government fleets must select the vehicles with the greatest fuel efficiency available for a given use class. Exceptions may be made for emergency responder vehicles if these entities provide documentation. In addition, all state agencies must use ethanol and biodiesel blended fuels when available. State agencies administering central fueling operations for state-owned vehicles must purchase ethanol and biodiesel fuels to use in their vehicle fleet as much as possible. (Reference Florida Statutes 286.29)

Fuel Use

All vehicles (ethanol blend mandate)

All gasoline sold or offered for sale by a terminal supplier, importer, blender, or wholesaler in Florida must contain 9-10% ethanol or other alternative fuel by volume. For the purpose of this requirement, alternative fuel is defined as a fuel produced from biomass. The fuel mandate does not apply to fuel used in aircrafts or watercrafts, fuel sold to a blender, or fuel sold for use in collector vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, or small engines. If a terminal supplier, importer, blender, or wholesaler is unable to obtain alternative fuel at the same or lower price as unblended gasoline, then the covered entity may apply for a waiver. (Reference House Bill 503, 2012, and Florida Statutes 526.201-526.207)

General

Analysis and Reporting Requirement

The Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), in coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT), must conduct an analysis of fuel additives and biofuels the DOT uses through its central fueling facilities. The DMS must also encourage other state government entities to analyze transportation fuel usage, including the types and percentages of fuels consumed, and report this information to the DMS. (Reference Florida Statutes 287.16)

Tax Exemption (alternative fuel vehicles)

A person operating an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) must purchase an annual decal from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles to be exempt from the excise tax on gasoline. Fueling stations may not fuel a vehicle with propane or compressed natural gas that does not display the proper decal. State and local government AFV fleets are exempt from paying the decal fee. In addition to the state alternative fuel fee, a person fueling a vehicle from their own facility must pay a local alternative fuel fee instead of the excise tax a county levies. (Reference Florida Statutes 206.877)