Idle Reduction Laws and Incentives in Pennsylvania
The list below contains summaries of all Pennsylvania laws and incentives related to idle reduction.
State Incentives
Alternative Fuel and Idle Reduction Grants
The Small Business Advantage Grant Program provides matching grants of up to 80% of project costs, up to $12,000, to enable a Pennsylvania small business to adopt or acquire energy-efficient or pollution prevention processes or equipment. Pennsylvania trucking companies and independent truckers may use the funding to purchase U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay verified anti-idling technologies. Projects may not begin until applications are approved. Grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, see the Small Business Advantage Grant Program website.
Idle Reduction, Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV), and Electric Vehicle (EV) Weight Exemption
A vehicle equipped with qualified idle reduction technology may exceed the state’s gross and axle weight limits by up to 400 pounds (lbs.) to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction technology. A vehicle primarily powered by natural gas or electricity may exceed the state’s gross vehicle weight limits by a weight equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle with the natural gas tank and fueling system, or EV battery, and the weight of a comparable vehicle with a diesel tank and fueling system. Any NGV and EV may exceed the limits by up to 2,000 lbs.
(Reference Title 35 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 23B, Section 4604 and Title 75 Pennsylvania Statutes, Part IV, Chapter 49, Subchapter C, Section 4941)
Laws and Regulations
Idle Reduction Requirement
Diesel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds may not idle for more than five minutes in any continuous 60-minute period. Exemptions include: uncontrollable traffic conditions; prevention of safety or health emergencies; emergency or law enforcement purposes; verification that a vehicle is safe to operate; vehicle maintenance; power work-related operations; sampling, weighing, or loading; bus passenger comfort; vehicles actively engaged in solid waste or recyclable material collection; vehicles complying with manufacturer specifications; and vehicles meeting California Air Resources Board oxides of nitrogen idling emission standards.
(Reference Title 35 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 23B, Section 4603)
More Laws and Incentives
To find laws and incentives for other alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, search all laws and incentives.