Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Idle Reduction Requirement

A motor vehicle may not idle for more than five consecutive minutes. This regulation does not apply to: 1) vehicles being serviced, provided that operation of the engine is essential to the repair; 2) vehicles delivering or accepting goods or merchandise for which engine assisted power is necessary and substitute alternate power cannot be made available; or 3) vehicles requiring auxiliary power for an associate power need other than movement that cannot be substituted by an alternate power source provided that such operation does not cause or contribute to air pollution. Violators are subject to fines. Local boards of health, local police, and state and federal officials may enforce the state anti-idling law. (Reference Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 16A, and Department of Environmental Protection Regulations and Standards 310 CMR 7.11(1)(b))

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Sales Requirements and Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards

The Massachusetts LEV Program requires all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks, medium-duty vehicles, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines sold and registered in Massachusetts to meet California motor vehicle emissions standards and compliance requirements specified in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. Manufacturers must meet the greenhouse gas emissions standard and the ZEV production and sales requirements. For more information, see the Massachusetts LEV Program website. (Reference Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Regulations and Standards 310 CMR 7.40)

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

Massachusetts joined California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the deployment of ZEVs through involvement in a ZEV Program Implementation Task Force (Task Force). In May 2014, the Task Force published a ZEV Action Plan (Plan) identifying 11 priority actions to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including deploying at least 3.3 million ZEVs and adequate fueling infrastructure within the signatory states by 2025. The Plan also includes a research agenda to inform future actions. On an annual basis, each state must report on the number of registered ZEVs, the number of public electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and hydrogen fueling stations, and available information regarding workplace fueling for ZEVs.

In June 2018, the Task Force published a new ZEV Action Plan for 2018-2021. Building on the 2014 Action Plan, the 2018 Action Plan makes recommendations for states and other key partners in five priority areas:

• Raising consumer awareness and interest in electric vehicle technology;
• Building out a reliable and convenient residential, workplace and public charging/fueling infrastructure network;
• Continuing and improving access to consumer purchase and non-financial incentives;
• Expanding public and private sector fleet adoption; and
• Supporting dealership efforts to increase ZEV sales.

For more information, see the Multi-State ZEV Task Force website.

Regional Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)

Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia (D.C.), Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia signed a Declaration of Intent to create the TCI, a regional initiative to improve transportation, develop a clean energy economy, and reduce carbon emissions and air pollutants from the transportation sector. The signatory states and D.C. agree to explore and develop policies and programs that result in greater energy efficiency of regional transportation systems and reduce emissions. Additionally, states support the deployment of clean vehicles and fueling infrastructure, such as electric vehicle supply equipment, to maximize the economic opportunities and emissions reductions. For more information, see the TCI website.

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington (signatory states) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the deployment of medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs through involvement in a Multi-State ZEV Task Force (Task Force).

By January 2021, the Task Force will develop a multi-state action plan to support electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The Task Force will consider actions to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including limiting all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sales in the signatory states to ZEVs by 2050. The signatory states will also seek to accelerate the deployment of medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs to benefit disadvantaged communities and explore opportunities to coordinate and partner with key stakeholders.

For more information, see the Medium- and Heavy-Duty ZEVs: Action Plan Development Process website.

State Emissions Reductions Requirements

Building upon the framework in the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Report, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) must adopt a statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limit that achieves net zero statewide GHG emissions by 2050, or at least 85% below the 1990 level. By 2025, and every five years thereafter until 2050, EEA and DOER must set interim statewide GHG emissions limit, accompanied by a roadmap to achieve that limit. (Reference Senate Bill 9, 2021, and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 21N, Section 3)

State Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and Infrastructure Deployment Requirements

Effective July 1, 2021, all Massachusetts executive branch agencies and public institutions of higher education must collectively work to meet the following targets, to the extent feasible:

Acquire ZEVs so that the total state fleet consists of:

• 5% ZEVs in 2025;
• 20% ZEVs in 2030;
• 75% ZEVs in 2040; and
• 100% ZEVs in 2050

• Fiscal year (FY) 2023, all vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 pounds (lbs.) or less.
• FY 2025, all vehicles with a GVWR of 14,000 lbs. or less.
• FY 2030, all vehicles with a GVWR of 14,000 lbs. or more.

• 350 EVSE in 2025; and
• 500 EVSE in 2030.

Police vehicles are exempt from these requirements, but public safety agencies are encouraged to meet these requirements as long as vehicles meet operational needs.

Additional conditions apply. For more information, see the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Leading by Example Program website.

(Reference Executive Order 594, 2021)