Glossary of Laws and Incentives Terms
Grants
Includes grants toward eligible project costs.
Tax Incentives
Includes tax credits and exemptions.
Loans and Leases
Includes direct loans, loan guarantees, and leases.
Rebates
Includes rebates for the purchase of vehicles, sale of fuel, etc.
Exemptions
Exemptions from restrictions and requirements such as roadway weight limitations, parking fees, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane access, and vehicle inspections.
Time-of-Use Rate
A time-of-use rate is an electricity rate schedule that adjusts the price of electricity based on when it is used. Prices rise during peak demand periods and fall during low demand periods.
Other
Includes discounts/rate reductions, technical assistance, etc.
Acquisition or Fuel Use
Includes alternative fuel/advanced vehicle acquisition requirements and alternative fuel use requirements.
Driving or Idling
Vehicle operation regulations such as idling restrictions or limited access to roadways.
Registration or Licensing
Includes vehicle registration/licensing, fuel use and dispensing permitting, fuel production licensing, fuel dispenser labeling, and vehicle conversion certification requirements.
EV Registration Fee
A registration fee that states may require hybrid electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and all-electric vehicle owners to pay in addition to standard vehicle registration fees. These types of fees are being used to offset lost gas tax revenue from electric vehicles.
Fuel Taxes
Alternative fuel tax rates, primarily those that differ from conventional fuel tax rates.
Fuel Production or Quality
Includes ASTM specifications and carbon intensity standards.
Renewable Fuel Standard or Mandate
A renewable fuel standard requires that a specific percentage of the total fuel sold be renewable. A renewable fuel mandate requires that each gallon of fuel sold have a certain renewable content percentage.
Air Quality or Emissions
Includes vehicle emissions standards and regulations.
Climate Change or Energy Initiatives
Petroleum reduction initiatives and programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and promoting energy independence.
Utility Definition
The definition of a regulated public utility, as pertaining to the resale of electricity and alternative fuels for vehicles.
Building Codes
Building codes are a set of rules that specify design and construction standards for buildings and structures.
Right-to-Charge
Right-to-charge laws provide residents at multifamily dwellings, condominium owners associations, and homeowners associations with the right to install an electric vehicle charging station for personal use.
Other
Includes requirements to promulgate rules, study groups/committees, etc.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is produced from a range of vegetable oils and animal fats. Pure biodiesel (B100) or biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel can be used to fuel diesel vehicles.
Ethanol
Ethanol is made from various plant materials, such as corn. Ethanol is blended with gasoline to fuel vehicles (e.g., E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline).
Natural Gas
Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons. Natural gas can be stored onboard a vehicle as a gas (compressed natural gas, CNG) or a liquid (liquefied natural gas, LNG).
Propane (LPG)
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or propane, is a three-carbon alkane gas produced as a by-product of natural gas processing or crude oil refining.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Hydrogen can be used to power fuel cells that generate electricity to run a vehicle's motor.
EVs
Electric vehicles (EVs) use batteries or other energy storage devices to store electricity to power the vehicle's motor.
PHEVs
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are equipped with batteries that can be charged by plugging into an electrical outlet.
HEVs
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle.
NEVs
Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) are small electric vehicles typically limited to speeds of less than 35 miles per hour.
Renewable Diesel
Renewable diesel is a hydrocarbon fuel, derived from biomass. Pure renewable diesel can be used independently, blended with biodiesel, or blended with petroleum diesel to fuel diesel vehicles.
Aftermarket Conversions
Aftermarket conversions refer to original equipment manufacturer vehicles altered to operate on another fuel type, such as propane, natural gas, ethanol, or electricity.
Fuel Economy or Efficiency
Fuel economy or fuel efficiency is the distance a vehicle travels per unit of fuel used and is commonly measured in miles per gallon (mpg).
Idle Reduction
Idle reduction is a decrease in the time or frequency that an engine runs while the vehicle is at rest.
Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles are also known as driverless or self-driving cars.
Other
Includes emerging fuel types and additional technologies.
Commercial
Government Entity
Tribal Government
Personal Vehicle Owner or Driver
Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Operator
Alternative Fuel Producer
Alternative Fuel Purchaser
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Manufacturer or Retrofitter
Multifamily Housing
Transit