Ohio Laws and Incentives

Listed below are the summaries of all current Ohio laws, incentives, regulations, funding opportunities, and other initiatives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, advanced technologies, or air quality. You can go directly to summaries of:

• State Incentives (5)
• Utility / Private Incentives (38)
• Laws and Regulations (7)

State Incentives

Ohio’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to submit an annual EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) to the DOT and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office), describing how the state intends to distribute NEVI funds. The submitted plans must be established according to NEVI guidance.

For more information about Ohio’s NEVI planning process, see the ODOT NEVI website. To review Ohio’s NEVI plan, see the Joint Office State Plans for EV Charging website.

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Emissions Reduction Grants

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) offers grants for the replacement or repower of eligible on- and off-road vehicles and equipment. Eligible on-road projects include Class 4-8 trucks, school, shuttle, and public transit buses. Eligible off-road projects include airport ground support equipment, ferries, forklifts, port cargo handling equipment, and freight-switcher locomotives. Eligible projects may also include alternative fuel infrastructure if the applicant conducts a site assessment. All vehicles and equipment must be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board. Additional terms and conditions apply. This program is funded by Ohio’s portion of the Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including application periods, see the Ohio EPA website.

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)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Emissions Inspection Exemption

Vehicles powered exclusively by electricity, propane, or natural gas are exempt from state motor vehicle emissions inspections after a one-time verification inspection. For more information, see the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency E-Check website.

(Reference Ohio Administrative Code 3745-26-1 and 3745-26-12)

Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) and Electric Vehicle (EV) Weight Exemption

NGVs and EVs may exceed the gross vehicle weight restrictions by 2,000 pounds, except on the interstate system or a highway, road, or bridge that is subject to maximum weight restrictions.

(Reference Ohio Revised Code 5577.044)

Utility / Private Incentives

Adams Rural Electric Coop, Inc - Ohio

Adams Rural Electric Coop, Inc is a cooperative that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Adams Rural Electric Coop, Inc website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

American Electric Power (AEP) Ohio - Ohio

American Electric Power (AEP) Ohio is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Butler Rural Electric Coop, Inc. - Ohio

Butler Rural Electric Coop, Inc. is a cooperative that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Butler Rural Electric Coop, Inc. website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

City of Amherst- (OH) - Ohio

City of Amherst- (OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the City of Amherst- (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

City of Cleveland- (OH) - Ohio

City of Cleveland- (OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the City of Cleveland- (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

City of Columbus- (OH) - Ohio

City of Columbus- (OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the City of Columbus- (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

City of Hamilton - Ohio

City of Hamilton is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the City of Hamilton website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

City of Oberlin- (OH) - Ohio

City of Oberlin- (OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the City of Oberlin- (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

City of Painesville - Ohio

City of Painesville is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the City of Painesville website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

City of Wadsworth-(OH) - Ohio

City of Wadsworth-(OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the City of Wadsworth-(OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

City of Westerville- (OH) - Ohio

City of Westerville- (OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the City of Westerville- (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Cleveland Electric Illumination Co - Ohio

Cleveland Electric Illumination Co is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Consolidated Electric Coop, Inc. - Ohio

Consolidated Electric Coop, Inc. is a cooperative that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Consolidated Electric Coop, Inc.  website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Dayton Power & Light Co - Ohio

Dayton Power & Light Co is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Dayton Power & Light Co website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Dominion Energy - Ohio

Dominion Energy is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in multiple states. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Dominion Energy website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Duke Energy - Ohio

Duke Energy is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in multiple states. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Duke Energy website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Duke Energy Ohio Inc. - Ohio

Duke Energy Ohio Inc. is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Duke Energy Ohio Inc.  website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Firelands Electric Cooperative (FEC) - Ohio

Firelands Electric Cooperative (FEC) is a cooperative that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Firelands Electric Cooperative (FEC) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Licking Rural Electric Inc. - Ohio

Licking Rural Electric Inc. is a cooperative that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Licking Rural Electric Inc.  website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Lorian-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative Inc - Ohio

Lorian-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative Inc is a cooperative that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Lorian-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative Inc website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Ohio Power Co - Ohio

Ohio Power Co is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Ohio Power Co website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Ohio Power Co - Ohio

Ohio Power Co is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Ohio Power Co website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Ohio Propane Gas Association (OPGA) - Ohio

Ohio Propane Gas Association (OPGA) is utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by this organization related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Ohio Propane Gas Association (OPGA) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Ohio Valley Electric Corp - Ohio

Ohio Valley Electric Corp is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Ohio Valley Electric Corp website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Pioneer Rural Electric Coop Inc. (OH) - Ohio

Pioneer Rural Electric Coop Inc. (OH) is a cooperative that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Pioneer Rural Electric Coop Inc. (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Prospect Corporation - Ohio

Prospect Corporation is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Seville Board of Public Affairs - Ohio

Seville Board of Public Affairs is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Seville Board of Public Affairs website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

South Central Power COmpany - Ohio

South Central Power COmpany is a cooperative that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the South Central Power COmpany website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Toledo Edison - Ohio

Toledo Edison is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Toledo Edison website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Union Rural Electric Coop, Inc - Ohio

Union Rural Electric Coop, Inc is a cooperative that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Union Rural Electric Coop, Inc website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Village of Bethel - Ohio

Village of Bethel is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Village of Bethel website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Village of Georgetown (OH) - Ohio

Village of Georgetown (OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Village of Georgetown (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Village of Grafton (OH) - Ohio

Village of Grafton (OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Village of Grafton (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Village of Lodi (OH) - Ohio

Village of Lodi (OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Village of Lodi (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Village of Obetz (OH) - Ohio

Village of Obetz (OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Village of Obetz (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Village of Ripley - Ohio

Village of Ripley is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Village of Ripley website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Village of Wellington (OH) - Ohio

Village of Wellington (OH) is a municipal utility that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Village of Wellington (OH) website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Wheeling Power Co - Ohio

Wheeling Power Co is an investor-owned utility (IOU) that operates in Ohio. This page provides a summary of the types of incentives provided by the utility related to alternative fuels and vehicles. For more information on these incentives, see the Wheeling Power Co website.

Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Incentives

Laws and Regulations

Public Utility Definition

An entity that provides electric vehicle charging service to the public is not considered a public utility.

(Reference Ohio Public Utilities Commission Docket 20-434-EL-COI)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Registration Fee

EV owners must pay an annual fee in addition to other registration fees. The fee is $200 for EVs, $150 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and $100 for hybrid electric vehicles.

(Reference Ohio Revised Code 4501.01 and 4503.10)

Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Regulations and Committee

The Ohio Office of the Governor established DriveOhio to test AVs on state highways and other public roads. The purpose of the program is to connect municipalities with industry, education, and community partners to advance smart mobility solutions. The Ohio Department of Transportation will appoint an executive director of DriveOhio to oversee activities and administration. The executive director may establish a DriveOhio Advisory Board to receive advice and recommendations. The executive director must submit an annual report to the governor.

All AVs tested in Ohio must have a designated operator responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle while in use and compliance with all traffic laws and regulations, among other requirements. The governor may pause the testing of AVs in Ohio if there is evidence that the technology is not safe.

An AV is defined as a vehicle equipped with technology that is capable of performing all of the real-time operational and tactical functions required to operate a vehicle. To test AVs, each company must register with DriveOhio and provide required information, including a summary report outlining its approach for the safe testing of its autonomous system.

(Reference Executive Order 2019-26D, 2019, and 2018-04K, 2018)

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)

Natural Gas Measurement

Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) used for transportation must be measured in gasoline gallon equivalents (GGE) or diesel gallon equivalents (DGE). One DGE of LNG is the equivalent of one gallon of motor fuel. One GGE of CNG is equal to 139.31 cubic feet or 6.38 pounds.

(Reference Ohio Revised Code 5735.011)

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)