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Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Acquisition and Emissions Reduction Requirements

Cars and light-duty trucks purchased by state agencies must meet the following requirements:

• Have an average U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated fuel economy of at least 40 miles per gallon;
• Comply with state fleet vehicle acquisition requirements set forth under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct); and
• Obtain the best achievable fuel economy per pound of carbon dioxide emitted for the applicable vehicle classes.

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) that the state purchases to comply with these requirements must be capable of operating on an EPAct-defined alternative fuel that is available in the state.

In addition, all cars and light-duty trucks that the state purchases or leases must be hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or capable of using alternative fuel. All AFVs purchased or leased must be certified to the California Air Resources Board’s (ARB) Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) standard, and all light-duty gasoline vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles the state purchases or leases must be certified, at a minimum, to the California ARB ULEV II standard.

Beginning January 1, 2026, cars and light-duty trucks purchased by state agencies must meet the following electric vehicle (EV) acquisition goals:

• 50% of vehicle acquisitions must be EVs by 2026;
• 75% of vehicle acquisitions must be EVs by 2028; and,
• 100% of vehicle acquisitions must be EVs by 2030.

Lower EV maintenance costs must be considered when Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) leases vehicles to other state agencies. The DAS must report annually on the composition of the state fleet, including the volume of alternative fuels used. Beginning January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, if procurement of light-duty cars and trucks purchased by the state does not meet the ZEV procurement requirements, DAS must submit an explanatory report to the General Assembly.

Vehicles that the Connecticut Department of Public Safety designates as necessary for the Department of Public Safety to carry out its mission are exempt from these provisions.

(Reference Connecticut General Statutes 4a-67d and Senate Bill 4, 2022)

School Bus Emissions Reduction

Each full-sized school bus with a Model Year (MY) 1994 or newer engine must be equipped with specific emissions control systems, including either: a closed crankcase filtration system and a level 1, level 2, or level 3 device; an engine that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has certified as meeting MY 2007 emissions standards; or use of compressed natural gas or other alternative fuel that EPA or the California Air Resources Board has certified to reduce particulate matter emissions by at least 85% as compared to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Beginning January 1, 2035, school districts may only purchase zero-emission school buses, and all school buses in Connecticut must be zero emission by 2040. School districts within environmental justice communities as of July 1, 2022, must transition to zero emission buses by January 1, 2030. School districts may enter zero-emission school bus contracts for 10 year periods.

(Reference Connecticut General Statutes 14-164o and Senate Bill 4, 2022)

Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Implementation Plan

The Connecticut Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, developed the [Connecticut Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Deployment Transportation Strategy: 2011-2050[(http://chfcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/CT-Hydrogen-Trans-Strategy1-13-10-Final-Plan2.pdf) to identify strategies to expand the availability and use of hydrogen fuel and renewable energy sources. The strategy includes a plan to implement zero emission buses on a state-wide basis, addresses the technological, facility, and financial arrangements necessary to fully implement a zero emissions bus fleet, and identifies specific locations for hydrogen fueling stations along state highways and other locations.

(Reference Connecticut General Statutes 13b-38dd)

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

Connecticut joined California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, 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 (EV) charging stations 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.

Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate

The Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate Program (CHEAPR) offers rebates for the incremental cost of the purchase or lease of a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), all-electric vehicle (EV), or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

CHEAPR offers rebates of up to $9,500 for the purchase or lease a new eligible FCEV, EV, or PHEV. The manufacturer suggested retail price for new eligible vehicles may not exceed $50,000.

CHEAPR offers an additional rebate, Rebate Plus, for all applicants that participate in a state or federal income qualified program. Connecticut residents that participate in certain income qualified programs are also eligible to receive a rebate for the purchase or lease of a used eligible vehicle.

Rebates are offered in the following amounts:

Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, see the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection CHEAPR website.

(Reference House Bill 7424, 2019)

(Reference Connecticut General Statutes 22a-202)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Registration Data

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must record the number of EVs registered in Connecticut. An EV is defined as any all-electric vehicle, fuel cell electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or range-extended EV. The data must be publicly available on the DMV website and include the total number of EVs registered each year. The DMV must update the information every six months. For more information, see the DMV Number of EVs Registered in Connecticut website.

(Reference Connecticut General Statutes 14-12(I))

Utility Company Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Load Projection Requirement

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority requires electric distribution companies to integrate EV charging load projections into distribution planning. Projections will be based on the number of EVs registered in the state as well as projected fluctuations in EV sales. Electric distribution companies must publish annual reports detailing the EV charging load projections for the company’s distribution planning.

(Reference Connecticut General Statutes 16-19fff)

Multi-State Zero Emission Trucks and Buses Deployment Plan

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

In July 2022, the Task Force published a multi-state action plan to support electrification of MHD vehicles. The action plan includes strategies and recommendations to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including limiting all new MHD vehicle sales in the signatory states to ZEVs by 2050, accelerating the deployment of MHD ZEVs, and ensuring MHD ZEV deployment also benefits disadvantaged communities.

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

Zero Emission School Bus Funding and Technical Assistance

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) must establish and administer a grant program to provide matching funds necessary for municipalities, school districts and school bus operators for the purchase or lease of zero-emission school buses and electric vehicle charging stations. School districts within environmental justice communities will be prioritized. In addition, DEEP must provide administrative and technical assistance to municipalities, school districts, and school bus operators that are transitioning to zero-emission school buses and installing electric vehicle charging stations.

(Reference Senate Bill 4, 2022)

Zero Emission Transit Bus Acquisition Requirement

Beginning January 1, 2024, the state may not procure, purchase, or lease diesel transit buses. At least 30% of transit buses purchased or leased by the state must be zero-emission by January 1, 2030. The Commissioner of Administrative Services must study and identify barriers to implementing zero-emission buses state-wide and submit a report of the results to the General Assembly by January 1, 2024.

(Reference Senate Bill 4, 2022)

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Study and Procurement

The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation must study the feasibility and cost savings of creating and implementing a bid process for the bulk procurement of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, and zero emission buses. DAS must publish the study results by January 1, 2024.

(Reference Senate Bill 4, 2022)

Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) must further develop the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) program by:

• Establishing an Advisory Board of various government and industry members to direct the allocation of CHEAPR funds;
• Providing at least 3 million dollars of rebates and vouchers to residents for the purchase or lease of new or pre-owned EV or fuel cell electric vehicle annually;
• Prioritizing the allocation of funds to residents of environmental justice communities;
• Beginning on June 20, 2024, reporting annually on the effectives of the program; and,
• Conducting outreach programs and marketing campaigns for the promotion of the program.

(Reference Senate Bill 4, 2022)