Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Idle Reduction Requirement

School bus operators may not idle a school bus engine for more than three consecutive minutes except under the following conditions: uncontrollable traffic conditions or mechanical difficulties; operation of heating, cooling, safety or auxiliary equipment; outdoor temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit; maintenance of a safe temperature for students with special needs; school bus repair; or receipt or discharge of passengers on a public highway or road. An infraction applies to violators of these regulations for the first offense and a fine from $100 to $500 applies for each succeeding offense. (Reference Connecticut General Statutes 14-277)

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. (Reference Connecticut General Statutes 14-164o)

Idle Reduction Weight Exemption

A commercial vehicle equipped with idle reduction technology may exceed the state's gross, total axle, total tandem, or bridge formula vehicle weight limits by up to 550 pounds to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction technology. The additional weight may not exceed the actual weight of the idle reduction unit. (Reference Connecticut General Statutes 14-267c)

Aftermarket Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Conversion Requirements

All AFV conversions must meet current applicable U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or California Air Resources Board standards for aftermarket conversions. Aftermarket systems must be properly certified for the specific vehicle or engine family that is being converted. An aftermarket AFV conversion is defined as a conventional original equipment manufacturer vehicle altered to operate on propane, natural gas, methane, ethanol, or electricity. (Reference Connecticut General Statutes 22a-174g)

Electric Vehicle Emissions Inspection Exemption

Vehicles powered exclusively by electricity are exempt from state motor vehicle emissions inspections. For more information, see the Connecticut Emissions Program website. (Reference Connecticut General Statutes 14-164c)

Hydrogen and Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) 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 $60,000 for FCEV models and $42,000 for EV and PHEV models.

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)

Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions Reduction Grants

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) allocates a portion of its designated funds from the Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust for the replacement or repower of eligible heavy-duty on-road vehicles through its Diesel Emissions Mitigation Program (Program). The Program provides funding in the following amounts:

Vehicles that qualify for replacement or repower include model year (MY) 1992-2009 class 8 port drayage trucks, MY 1992 class 4-8 local freight trucks, and MY 2009 and older class 4-8 school buses, shuttle buses, and transit buses.

For more information, including application periods, see the DEEP VW Grant Information website.

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Deployment Goal

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released the Electric Vehicle Roadmap for Connecticut (Roadmap), a framework to accelerate PEV adoption. The Roadmap sets a state goal for 20% of the statewide light-duty fleet, or 500,000 vehicles, to be PEVs by 2030. The Roadmap complements strategies identified in the Zero Emission Vehicle Deployment Support, including fleet electrification, expanding electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) infrastructure, establishing EVSE interoperability criteria, minimizing grid impacts, advancing building codes, streamlining permitting requirements, leveraging incentives, and increasing education and outreach. For more information, see the DEEP Roadmap website.