Ethanol Laws and Incentives in Ohio

The list below contains summaries of all Ohio laws and incentives related to ethanol.

Laws and Regulations

Alternative Fuel Signage

The Ohio Turnpike Commission allows businesses to place their logos on directional signs within the right-of-way of state turnpikes. An alternative fuel retailer may include a marking or symbol within their logo indicating that it sells one or more types of alternative fuel. Alternative fuels are defined as any fuel containing 85% or more ethanol (E85), fuel blends containing at least 20% biodiesel (B20), natural gas, propane, hydrogen, electricity, or any fuel that the U.S. Department of Energy has determined is substantially not petroleum. For more information, see the Ohio Turnpike Commission website.

(Reference Ohio Revised Code 125.831 and 5537.30)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acquisition and Fuel Use Requirements

With the exception of law enforcement vehicles, all newly acquired state agency vehicles must be capable of using an alternative fuel and must use the relevant alternative fuel if it is reasonably priced and available. Alternative fuel is defined as any fuel containing 85% or more ethanol (E85), fuel blends containing at least 20% biodiesel (B20), natural gas, propane, hydrogen, electricity, or any other fuel that the U.S. Department of Energy has determined is substantially not petroleum. State agencies must also meet the annual average fuel economy requirement set by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services on all passenger automobiles purchased. Law enforcement and emergency rescue work vehicles are exempt from this requirement. The Office of the Ohio Treasurer established a biodiesel revolving fund in which funds appropriated by the Ohio General Assembly can be used to pay for the incremental cost of biodiesel used in state owned or leased diesel vehicles.

(Reference Ohio Revised Code 125.831-125.836)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion

It is unlawful to tamper with vehicle emissions control systems unless the action is for the purpose of converting a motor vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel and is in compliance with the standards adopted under the Clean Air Act Amendments.

(Reference Ohio Revised Code 3704.16-3704.162)

State Incentives

Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant Program

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) provides Diesel Emissions Reduction Grants (DERG) for projects that reduce emissions by retiring and replacing diesel public transit buses. Eligible projects must achieve a minimum funding match of 20% from non-state and non-federal sources. Funding for this program is provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program. For more information, including application periods, see the Ohio EPA DERG website.

(Reference Ohio Revised Code 122.861)

Point of Contact
Carolyn Watkins
Chief, Office of Environmental Education; Administrator, Diesel Emission Reduction Grants
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Phone: (614) 644-3768
carolyn.watkins@epa.ohio.gov

More Laws and Incentives

To find laws and incentives for other alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, search all laws and incentives.