Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Weight Exemption

Gross vehicle weight rating limits for AFVs are 2,000 pounds greater than those for comparable conventional vehicles, as long as the AFVs operate using an alternative fuel or both alternative and conventional fuel, when operating on a highway that is not part of the interstate system. For the purpose of this exemption, alternative fuel is defined as compressed natural gas, propane, ethanol, or any mixture containing 85% or more ethanol (E85) with gasoline or other fuels, electricity, or any other fuels, which may include clean diesel and reformulated gasoline, so long as the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission determines that these other fuels result in comparable reductions in carbon monoxide emissions and brown cloud pollutants. (Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-508 and 25-7-106.8)

State Agency Alternative Fuel Use and Vehicle Acquisition Requirement

The Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) requires all state-owned diesel vehicles and equipment to be fueled with a fuel blend of 20% biodiesel (B20), subject to the availability of the fuel and so long as the price differential is not greater than $0.10 more per gallon as compared to conventional diesel. Biodiesel is defined as fuel composed of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from plant or animal matter that meets ASTM specifications and is produced in Colorado.

Additionally, DPA has adopted a policy to increase the use of alternative fuels and establish objectives to increase its use for each succeeding year. DPA must purchase motor vehicles that operate on compressed natural gas (CNG), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or vehicles that operate on other alternative fuels, subject to the availability of vehicles and adequate fueling infrastructure and assuming the incremental base or life cycle cost of the vehicle is not more than 10% over the cost of a comparable dedicated conventional vehicle. DPA has adopted a policy to allow some vehicles to be exempt from this requirement if available alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) do not meet application requirements.

On or before November 1 of each year, DPA must submit a report to the general assembly outlining vehicle purchases, including alternative fuel and conventional vehicles; alternative fueling infrastructure availability in the state; AFV purchase exemptions; administrative policies in place to facilitate the purchase of AFVs; suggested changes to facilitate the gradual conversion of the motor vehicle fleet to AFVs; and a plan for the necessary infrastructure development.

(Reference Executive Order D 2015-013, 2015, and Colorado Revised Statutes 24-30-1104)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Registration

Upon registering a motor vehicle with the Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles, the vehicle owner must report the type of alternative fuel used to operate the vehicle and whether the vehicle is dedicated to one alternative fuel or uses more than one fuel. The Department of Revenue provides forms for the purpose of registering motor vehicles and must include space for the following fuel types: gasoline, diesel, propane, electricity, natural gas, methanol/M85, ethanol/E85, biodiesel, and other. For more information, see the Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles website. (Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-3-113)

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Grants

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) provide grants through the Charge Ahead Colorado program to support PEV and EVSE adoption by individual drivers and fleets. Both CEO and RAQC grants will fund 80% of the cost of EVSE, up to $6,000 for a fleet-only Level 2 station, $9,000 for a dual port Level 2 station, up to $30,000 for a direct current (DC) fast charging EVSE, and up to $50,000 for a charging station capable of 100kW or higher charging. Eligible DC fast EVSE must have both CHAdeMO and SAE CCS J1772 connectors and be capable of providing at least 50 kilowatts to one vehicle.

CEO administers grants outside the Denver Metro Area while RAQC administers grants inside the Denver Metro Area. RAQC also provides funding for 80% of the incremental cost for qualified PEVs, up to $8,260. Eligible EVSE applicants are local governments, including school districts; state/federal agencies; public universities; public transit agencies; private non-profit or for-profit corporations; landlords of multi-family apartment buildings; and owners associations of common interest communities. For vehicle funding, priority will be given to organizations that are excluded from the Colorado Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit. Criteria and eligibility differ depending on which agency provides funding. For more information, including application deadlines, see the Charge Ahead Colorado Grant Application website.

Low-Speed Electric Vehicle (EV) Access to Roadways

A low-speed EV is self-propelled using electricity as its primary propulsion method, has at least three wheels in contact with the ground, does not use handlebars to steer, displays a vehicle identification number, and meets manufacturer requirements as defined in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations section 565. A low-speed EV may be operated on a roadway with a speed limit of up to 40 miles per hour (mph) as long as the roadway's lane is at least 11 feet wide, the roadway provides two or more lanes in either direction, and the Colorado Department of Transportation has determined that operation of a low-speed EV on the roadway poses no substantial safety risk. Otherwise, a low-speed EV may only be operated on a roadway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Regardless, a low-speed EV may directly cross any roadway with a speed limit greater than 35 mph.

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-1-102, 42-4-109.5, 42-4-109.6)

Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Infrastructure Grant Program

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO), the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC), and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), have partnered to provide grants through the ALT Fuels Colorado program for new, publicly accessible compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling equipment; co-located electric vehicle charging and propane station equipment at funded CNG stations; and CNG, and electric vehicles. CNG must be 100% renewable natural gas. CEO will administer the station grants to advance infrastructure development along major state-wide transportation corridors. RAQC will administer the vehicle grants for fleets operating within counties with air quality nonattainment and maintenance areas. For more information, including application deadlines and annual award amounts, see the Clean Air Fleets ALT Fuels Colorado website.

Vehicle Fleet Maintenance and Fuel Cost-Savings Contracts

Government fleets may finance the lease or purchase cost of alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fueling infrastructure through energy performance contracts where vehicle operational and fuel cost savings pay for the capital investment. Energy performance contracts must show that the annual cost savings associated with the fueling and maintenance of vehicles with higher efficiency ratings or alternative fueling methods is equal to or higher than the annual contract payments. (Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 24-30-2001 through 24-30-2003 and 29-12.5-101 through 29-12.5-104)

Idle Reduction Weight Exemption

Any motor vehicle equipped with a qualified auxiliary power unit or idle reduction technology may exceed the state's gross, total axle, or bridge formula vehicle weight limits by up to 550 pounds to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction technology. To be eligible for the weight exemption, the vehicle operator must be able to provide written proof of idle reduction technology weight and demonstrate or certify that it is fully functional at all times. (Reference 8 Code of Colorado Regulations 1507-28)

Electric Vehicle (EV) and Infrastructure Coaching Service

The Colorado Energy Office's ReCharge Colorado program (ReCharge) works to advance the adoption of EVs and installation of charging infrastructure in Colorado. ReCharge provides coaching services to consumers, local governments, workplaces, and multi-unit housing developments to help them identify monetary savings, grant opportunities, and other EV benefits. ReCharge also helps build local stakeholder support for EVs. For more information, see the ReCharge Colorado website.

Electric Vehicle Emissions Inspection Exemption

Vehicles powered exclusively by electricity are exempt from state motor vehicle emissions inspections. For more information, see the Air Care Colorado website. (Reference 1 Code of Colorado Regulations 204-11 Rule 2)

Fleet Purchase and Pricing Agreement Requirements

The Colorado state fleet and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) must purchase natural gas vehicles (NGVs) where natural gas fueling is available or planned, whenever possible. Where NGVs are not viable options, other alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) such as plug-in electric, hybrid electric, and propane vehicles, must be considered. All new vehicles purchased must be either alternatively fueled or exceed federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards.

In addition, CDOT and the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) must include AFVs in state pricing agreements; AFVs include compressed natural gas, hybrid electric, plug-in electric, and propane vehicles. CDOT and DPA must also determine opportunities to expand state pricing into alternative fuel and fuel-efficient heavy-duty equipment, as well as into idle reduction technologies and telematics.

(Reference Executive Order D 2015-013, 2015)

State Agency Petroleum Reduction and Reporting Requirements

Colorado state agencies and departments must reduce petroleum-based fuel consumption on a per vehicle basis and across the fleet. For non-exempt vehicles, the minimum annual reduction is 4% per vehicle, and at least 20% by Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 compared to a FY 2015 baseline. The exempt vehicle requirement is a minimum annual reduction of 2% per vehicle, and at least 10% by FY 2020. State agencies and departments must also achieve a total reduction in petroleum-based fuel consumption by 15% (or 7.5% for exempt vehicles) by FY 2020. The Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration may consider certain vehicles to be exempt based on agency requests; agencies must request vehicle exemptions prior to establishing the FY 2015 baseline.

State agencies must use EnergyCAP to track progress towards these goals. All state executive agencies and departments will provide the Colorado Greening Government Coordinating Council (Council) with any information not captured in EnergyCAP that is needed to complete calculations and reporting.

(Reference Executive Order D 2015-013, 2015)

Impact Assistance Program for Public Fleets

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) offers funding for the incremental cost of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) for public fleets. Eligible entities include municipalities, counties, and special districts. Additionally, eligible fleets may apply for DOLA funding to cover the matching funds required through the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) ALT Fuels Colorado program. For more information, see the DOLA Energy Impact Assistance Fund Grant website.

Transportation Impacts Stakeholder Group

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will convene and engage with a stakeholder group comprised of representatives of potentially affected entities to examine and address impacts of new transportation technologies and business models. The topics include funding transportation infrastructure needed to support the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and incentivizing the adoption of ZEVs for use in commercial applications. CDOT is required to report on the progress and policy recommendations of the stakeholder group during the 2019 presentation to legislative oversight committees and implement actions by October 1, 2020. (Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 43-1-125)

Non-Residential Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Rebate – Black Hills Energy

Black Hills Energy offers non-residential customers rebates for the purchase and installation of Level 2 and publicly available direct current (DC) fast EVSE. Rebates are available in the following amounts: