Propane Laws and Incentives in Virginia
The list below contains summaries of all Virginia laws and incentives related to propane.
Laws and Regulations
Alternative Fuel Provider License
Alternative fuel providers, bulk users, and retailers, or any person who fuels an alternative fuel vehicle from a private source that does not pay the alternative fuels tax must obtain an alternative fuel license from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). For more information, see the DMV Fuels Tax Licensing website.
(Reference Virginia Code 58.1-2244)
Alternative Fuel School Bus and Fueling Infrastructure Loans
The Virginia Board of Education may use funding from the Literary Fund to provide loans to school boards that convert school buses to operate on alternative fuels or construct alternative fueling stations.
(Reference Virginia Code 22.1-146)
Alternative Fuel Tax
Alternative fuels used to operate on-road vehicles are taxed at an annually adjusted rate per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE). Alternative fuels are taxed at the same rate as gasoline and gasohol. Refer to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Fuels Tax Rates and Alternative Fuels Conversion website for fuel-specific GGE calculations.
(Reference Virginia Code 58.1-2217 and 58.1-2249)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Tax Reduction Authorization
Local governments may reduce personal property taxes paid on AFVs and low-speed vehicles. AFVs include vehicles that operate using natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or propane, hydrogen, or electricity.
(Reference Virginia Code 58.1-3506)
State Incentives
Alternative Fuel Tax Exemption
Alternative fuel is exempt from taxes if it is sold to a government entity for its exclusive use, a non-profit charitable organization for the purpose of providing charitable services for low-income medical patients, or produced by an agricultural operation and used exclusively for farm use or vehicles of that producer.
(Reference Virginia Code 58.1-2250)
Alternative Fuel and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Emissions Testing Exemption
Vehicles powered exclusively by natural gas, propane, hydrogen, a combination of compressed natural gas and hydrogen, or electricity are exempt from the Virginia emissions inspection program. Qualified HEVs with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings of at least 50 miles per gallon (city) are also exempt from the emissions inspection program unless remote sensing devices indicate the HEV may not meet current emissions standards. For more information, including a list of HEVs that qualify, see the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Emissions Inspections website.
(Reference Virginia Code 46.2-1177 through 46.2-1178 and 46.2-749.3)
Government Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Incentive
The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation, offers up to $10,000 to state agencies and local governments for the incremental cost of new or converted AFVs. To be eligible, vehicles must comply with Buy America provisions or qualify for a waiver from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, and must be garaged in areas of air quality nonattainment, as recognized by the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program. For more information, see the Virginia CMAQ Incentive Program website.
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption
Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) displaying the Virginia Clean Special Fuel license plate may use Virginia HOV lanes on specified areas of I-64, I-264, I-564, the Dulles Toll Road, and in the City of Alexandria, regardless of the number of occupants. For HOV lanes serving the I-66 corridor, only registered vehicles displaying Clean Special Fuel license plates issued before July 1, 2011, are exempt from HOV lane requirements. Only dedicated AFVs are eligible; see the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website for a complete list of qualifying vehicles. The annual fee for Clean Special Fuel license plates is $25 in addition to the prescribed fee for commonwealth license plates. This exemption expires September 30, 2025. For more information, see the Virginia Department of Transportation HOV Lanes website.
(Reference Virginia Code 33.2-501 and 46.2-749.3)
Utility / Private Incentives
Propane Vehicle Rebate – Virginia Propane Gas Association
The Virginia Propane Gas Association offers commercial, government, and residential customers a $2,500 rebate for the purchase of a new propane vehicle or the conversion of a vehicle to operate on propane. Additional terms and conditions apply. For more information, including eligibility requirements, see the Virginia Propane Gas Association Incentives & Rebate Programs website.
More Laws and Incentives
To find laws and incentives for other alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, search all laws and incentives.