Electricity Laws and Incentives in Nevada
The list below contains summaries of all Nevada laws and incentives related to electricity.
State Incentives
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Emissions Inspection Exemption
AFVs are exempt from Nevada’s emissions testing requirements. A new HEV is exempt from emissions inspection testing for the first five model years, after which the vehicle must comply with emissions inspection testing requirements on an annual basis. For more information, see the Nevada Emissions Control Program website.
(Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 445B.770, 445B.815 and 445B.825 )
Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions Reduction Grants
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) administers Nevada’s portion of the Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust through the Nevada Diesel Emission Mitigation Fund. The fund assists publicly- and privately-owned fleets with the replacement or repower of model year 2009 or older medium- and heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles. Funding amounts vary based on vehicle, applicant, and fuel type. For more information, including application periods and guidelines, see the NDEP VW Settlement Funds website.
Idle Reduction Technology, Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV), and Electric Vehicle (EV) Weight Exemption
Any motor vehicle equipped with an auxiliary power unit or other qualified idle reduction technology may exceed the maximum gross vehicle weight limit by up to 550 pounds (lbs.) to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction technology. NGVs and EVs may exceed the maximum gross vehicle weight limit for comparable conventional fuel vehicles by up to 2,000 lbs.
(Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 484D.635)
Nevada's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to submit an annual EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) to the DOT and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) describing how the state intends to distribute NEVI funds. The submitted plans must be established according to NEVI guidance.
For more information about Nevada’s NEVI planning process, see the NDOT Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Plan website. To review Nevada’s NEVI plan, see the Joint Office State Plans for EV Charging website.
Laws and Regulations
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Infrastructure Grants Authorization
The Nevada Office of Energy administers the Nevada Clean Energy Fund to fund qualified clean energy projects, including any program, technology, product, or service that supports the deployment of AFVs and related infrastructure. Technologies that involve the combustion of fossil fuels are not eligible for funding. For more information, see the Nevada Clean Energy Fund website.
(Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 701B.930-995)
Authorization for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption
The Nevada Department of Transportation, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, may establish a program allowing federally certified alternative fuel vehicles to operate in HOV lanes regardless of the number of passengers.
(Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 484A.460 and 484A.463)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Parking Space Regulation
An individual may not park a motor vehicle within any parking space specifically designated for charging EVs. To use the parking space, EVs must be actively charging. Violators may receive a fine of up to $750.
(Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 484B.468)
Electric Vehicle Manufacturer Franchise Exemption
A vehicle manufacturer is not required to sell its vehicles through franchised dealers if the manufacturer:
- Only produces passenger cars powered solely by at least one electric motors;
- Only sells new or used passenger cars that it manufactures; and
- Was selling such passenger cars in Nevada on or before January 1, 2016.
(Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 482.36349)
Funds for School District Alternative Fuel Use
A portion of any penalty assessed for violations of air pollution control laws must be deposited in the county school district fund where the violation occurred. The local air pollution control board must approve expenditures from the fund, which are limited to education programs on topics relating to air quality and projects to improve air quality, including the purchase and installation of equipment to retrofit district school buses to operate on biodiesel, compressed natural gas, or a similar fuel that reduces emissions.
(Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 445B.500)
Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support
California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington (signatory states) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the deployment of MDHD ZEVs through involvement in a Multi-State ZEV Task Force (Task Force).
In March 2022, the Task Force released a draft multi-state action plan to support electrification of MDHD vehicles. The Task Force will consider actions to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including limiting all new MDHD vehicles sales in the signatory states to ZEVs by 2050. The signatory states will also seek to accelerate the deployment of MHD ZEVs to benefit disadvantaged communities and explore opportunities to coordinate and partner with key stakeholders.
For more information, see the MHD ZEVs: Action Plan Development Process website.
Public Utility Definition
A person who owns, controls, operates, or manages a facility that supplies electricity to charge electric vehicles is not defined as a public utility.
(Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 704.021)
State Fleet Vehicle Acquisition and Fuel Use Requirements
State agencies must transition light-duty vehicles to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2040 and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to ZEVs by 2050. To support these goals, state agencies must prioritize low emission vehicles when purchasing light-duty motor vehicles. State agencies that purchase a diesel vehicle must ensure the vehicle can use biodiesel fuel blends of at least 20%. When refueling gasoline and diesel vehicles, agencies must prioritize the purchase of ethanol and biodiesel fuel. Exceptions may apply.
(Reference Senate Bill 262, 2023)
Transportation Electrification Investment Authorization
Utilities must file a plan to accelerate transportation electrification in Nevada with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by September 1, 2021. Two or more utilities that share common ownership or transmission systems must include a plan to allocate up to $100,000,000 on transportation electrification. Plans must be designed to accelerate transportation electrification between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024. All plans must include:
- An Interstate Corridor Charging Depot Program to increase the availability of public charging infrastructure along state highways and support tourism;
- An Urban Charging Depot Program to help customers that are unable to charge vehicles at home or work;
- A Public Agency Electric Vehicle Charging Program to serve the public, workplace, and government fleet charging needs;
- A Transit, School Bus, and Transportation Electrification Custom Program to serve the needs of transit agencies, public schools, planning organizations, and commercial entities; and,
- An Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Program to support tourism and outdoor recreation entities.
Nevada Power Company, Nevada Energy (NV Energy), and Sierra Pacific Power Company submitted a joint plan to the PUC in 2021. For more information, see the NV Energy Economic Recovery Transportation Electrification Plan website.
(Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 704.79877 and PUC Docket No. 21-09004)
Zero Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Incentive Authorization
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) must administer the Clean Trucks and Buses Incentive Program (Program) to provide incentives for the purchase of zero emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Eligible entities must own or operate diesel- or gasoline-powered medium- and heavy-duty vehicles or fleets and include local governments, state agency fleets, school districts, nonprofit organizations, commercial fleets, and independent truck operators. Incentive amounts must be based on gross vehicle weight rating, and NDEP must offer increased incentive amounts for underserved communities. The State Environmental Commission must adopt regulations to guide the NDEP’s administration of the Program. Additional requirements apply.
(Reference Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 445B and Assembly Bill 184, 2023)
Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Sales Requirements and Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards
Nevada adopted the California motor vehicle emissions and compliance requirements specified in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. Manufacturers must meet the greenhouse gas emissions standard and the ZEV production and sales requirements, beginning with model year 2025. These regulations apply to all passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles. For more information, see the Clean Cars Nevada website.
(Reference Nevada Administrative Code 445B.2 through 445B.36, Nevada Administrative Regulation R093-20A through R093-20P, and Nevada Revised Statutes 445B.210, 445B.760, and 445B.835)
More Laws and Incentives
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