Natural Gas Laws and Incentives in Washington

The list below contains summaries of all Washington laws and incentives related to natural gas.

State Incentives

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Emissions Inspection Exemption

AFVs powered exclusively by electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and propane are exempt from state emissions control inspections. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that obtain a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy rating of at least 50 miles per gallon during city driving are also exempt from these inspections.

(Reference Revised Code of Washington 46.16A.060)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Retail Sales and Use Tax Exemption

The sale or lease of new or used passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger AFVs is exempt from the state retail sales and use tax. Eligible AFVs include those powered by natural gas, propane, hydrogen, or electricity. To be eligible, new vehicles may not be valued above $45,000 and used vehicles may not be valued above $30,000. The tax exemption may apply to all or a portion of the vehicle’s value. The maximum eligible amount for used purchased or leased vehicles is $16,000. The Maximum exemption amounts for vehicles are as follows:

For more information, see the Renewable Energy/Green Incentives section of Washington Department of Revenue’s Incentives Programs website.

(Reference Revised Code of Washington 82.12.9999)

Commercial Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Fueling Infrastructure Tax Credit

Businesses are eligible to receive tax credits for purchasing new or used medium- and heavy-duty AFVs and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles converted to alternative fuels, and installing alternative fueling infrastructure. Eligible alternative fuels are natural gas, propane, hydrogen, dimethyl ether, and electricity. Tax credits for qualified alternative fueling infrastructure are for up to 50% of the cost to purchase and install the infrastructure. New commercial vehicle tax credit amounts vary based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and are up to 75% of the incremental cost, with maximum credit values as follows:

Leased AFVs may receive a tax credit for 75% cost, up to $25,000 per vehicle. This exemption also applies to qualified used vehicles modified with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified aftermarket conversion, if the vehicle is being sold for the first time after modification. Modified vehicles are eligible for credits equal to 50% of the commercial vehicle conversion cost, up to $25,000.

Each entity may claim up to $250,000 or credits for 25 vehicles per year. Applications must be submitted within 30 days of vehicle acquisition or installation completion. All credits earned must be used in that calendar year or the subsequent year. Tax credits are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to annual limits of $2 million for vehicle credits, and $6 million for infrastructure.

(Reference Revised Code of Washington 82.16.0496 and 82.04.4496)

Natural Gas Tax Exemptions

Compressed, liquefied, and renewable natural gas used as a transportation fuel are exempt from public utility taxes. In addition, natural gas distribution businesses are eligible for an exemption for machinery and equipment used to produce natural gas for transportation fuel. This exemption is available quarterly as a remittance.

(Reference Revised Code of Washington 82.08.02565 and 82.16.310)

Laws and Regulations

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Technical Assistance and Education Program

The Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program must establish and administer a technical assistance and education program on the use of AFVs for public agencies, including state and local governments. For more information, visit the WSU Energy Program Green Transportation Program website.

(Reference Revised Code of Washington 28B.30.903)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Labeling Requirement

Every alternative fuel automobile, truck, motorcycle, motor home, or off-road vehicle must bear a reflective placard from the National Fire Protection Association indicating that the vehicle is powered by an alternative fuel. Alternative fuels include propane, liquid petroleum gas, and natural gas.

(Reference Revised Code of Washington 46.37.467)

Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Washington’s Clean Fuels Program (Program) requires a reduction in the overall carbon intensity of transportation fuels used in the state by 20% below 2017 levels by 2034. The Program requires transportation fuel producers and suppliers to meet specified average carbon intensity requirements for fuel. The Program’s regulated fuels include gasoline, diesel, gasoline mixed with at least 10% corn-derived ethanol, biomass-based diesel, propane, and hydrogen. Producers of low carbon fuels, such as electricity and alternative jet fuel, may participate, but are not required to register for the Program. Aviation fuel, marine fuel, railroad fuel, and offroad fuel used for agriculture, logging, mining, and other activities are exempt and will not generate deficits. The Program allows producers and importers to generate, acquire, transfer, bank, borrow, and trade credits. Fuel producers and importers regulated under the LCFS must meet quarterly and annual reporting requirements. For more information, see the Washington Department of Ecology Clean Fuel Standard page.

(Reference Revised Code of Washington 70A.535.005-70A.535.140)

Low Carbon Fuel and Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Acquisition Requirement

Washington state agencies must consider purchasing low carbon fuel vehicles or converting conventional vehicles to use low carbon fuels when financially comparable over the vehicle’s useful life. Low carbon fuels include hydrogen, biomethane, electricity, or natural gas blends of at least 90%. State agencies must achieve an average fuel economy of 36 miles per gallon (mpg) for passenger vehicle fleets in motor pools and leased conventional vehicles. State agencies must also purchase low carbon fuel vehicles or, when purchasing new conventional vehicles, achieve an average fuel economy of 40 mpg for light-duty passenger vehicles and 27 mpg for light-duty vans and sport utility vehicles. When calculating average fuel economy, emergency response vehicles, passenger vans with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or greater, off-road vehicles, low carbon fuel vehicles, and vehicles driven less than 2,000 miles per year are excluded.

(Reference Revised Code of Washington 43.19.622)

Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) and Propane Annual Fee

Owners of NGVs and propane powered vehicles are required to pay an annual license fee, based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), instead of motor fuel excise taxes. The base fee schedule is as follows:

To determine the actual annual license fee imposed per registration year, multiply the appropriate base fee amount from the above schedule by the motor vehicle fuel tax rate in cents per gallon effective on July 1 of the preceding calendar year, and divide the resulting amount by $0.12. There is an additional $5 handling fee for each license issued.

(Reference Revised Code of Washington 82.38.075)

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and Renewable Hydrogen Fuel Sales Regulations

Public utility districts are authorized to sell RNG and renewable hydrogen to facilities that condense or dispense natural gas or renewable hydrogen for use as a motor fuel. RNG is defined as methane gas or other hydrocarbons derived from organic materials. Renewable hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced using renewable resources as the source of the hydrogen and the source for the energy input into the production process.

(Reference 54.04.190)

select a state Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Federal