Idle Reduction Laws and Incentives in Texas

The list below contains summaries of all Texas laws and incentives related to idle reduction.

State Incentives

Clean Vehicle and Infrastructure Grants

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) administers the Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants (ERIG) Program as part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP). The ERIG program provides grants for various types of clean air projects to improve air quality in the state’s nonattainment areas and other affected counties. Eligible projects include those that involve replacement, retrofit, repower, or lease or purchase of new heavy-duty vehicles; alternative fuel dispensing infrastructure; idle reduction and electrification infrastructure; and alternative fuel use. For more information, including application periods, see the TCEQ TERP website.

(Reference Texas Statutes, Health and Safety Code 386.101-386.117 and Texas Administrative Code Title 30 Part 1 Chapter 114 Subchapter K Division 3 Rule 114.620-114.629)

Idle Reduction Weight Exemption

Any motor vehicle equipped with qualifying idle reduction technology may exceed the state’s gross vehicle weight limits by up to 550 pounds to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction technology. To be eligible for the weight exemption, the vehicle operator must be able to provide proof that the idle reduction technology is fully functional.

(Reference Texas Statutes, Transportation Code 622.955)

Laws and Regulations

Idle Reduction Requirement

A vehicle may not idle for more than five minutes from April through October in cities and counties where the local government has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Exemptions apply for the following: vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,000 pounds (lbs.) or less; emergency or law enforcement vehicles; airport ground support vehicles; rented/leased vehicles; to perform needed work, including roadway construction, maintenance and diagnostics; to defrost a windshield; traffic conditions; and hours of service compliance activities. Vehicles may idle for up to 30 minutes for bus passenger comfort or transit operations. Fines vary by jurisdiction.

TCEQ may not prohibit or limit the idling of any vehicle with a GVWR greater than 8,500 lbs. provided that the vehicle is equipped with a 2008 or subsequent model year heavy-duty diesel or natural gas engine that is certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or another state agency to emit no more than 30 grams of nitrogen oxides per hour when idling.

(Reference Texas Statutes, Health and Safety Code 382.0191 and Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 114, Subchapter J, Division 2, Rule 30.114.510-30.114.517)

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