Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Propane Dealer License

A person may not act as a CNG or propane dealer unless the person holds a valid CNG or propane dealer's license issued by the Montana Department of Transportation. (Reference Montana Code Annotated 15-70-702)

Biodiesel Blending Tax Credit

Businesses and individuals are eligible for a tax credit of up to 15% of the cost of qualified equipment used for storing or blending biodiesel with petroleum diesel offered for sale. Biodiesel must be made entirely from components produced in Montana and must account for at least 2% of the business' or individual's total diesel sales within three years of the initial credit. The credit may not exceed $52,500 for a biodiesel distributor and $7,500 for an owner or operator of a motor fuel outlet. The credit can be claimed up to two tax years before the taxpayer begins blending biodiesel fuel for sale, and may be carried forward until the total amount has been deducted from tax liability. If the facility ceases to blend biodiesel for 12 continuous months within five years of a credit claim, the total credit amount must be returned. (Reference Montana Code Annotated 15-32-703)

Biodiesel Tax Refund

A licensed distributor who pays the special fuel tax on biodiesel may claim a refund equal to $0.02 per gallon of biodiesel sold during the previous quarter if the biodiesel is made entirely from components produced in Montana. Additionally, the owner or operator of a retail motor fuel outlet may claim a refund equal to $0.01 per gallon of biodiesel purchased from a licensed distributor if the biodiesel is made entirely from components produced in the state. Refund requests must be filed on a quarterly basis. (Reference Montana Code Annotated 15-70-433)

Biodiesel Tax Exemption

Biodiesel producers that produce biodiesel from waste vegetable oil feedstock are exempt from the state special fuel tax. Waste vegetable oil is used cooking oil gathered from restaurants or commercial food processors. Biodiesel producers must annually register with the Montana Department of Transportation and report biodiesel production and consumption by February 15 of the following year. (Reference Montana Code Annotated 15-70-401 and 15-70-405)

Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) West Plan

Montana joined Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming (Signatory States) in signing the REV West memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create an Intermountain West Electric Vehicle (EV) Corridor that will make it possible to seamlessly drive an EV across the Signatory States' major transportation corridors.

• Educate consumers and fleet owners to raise EV awareness, reduce range anxiety, and increase EV adoption;
• Coordinate on EV charging station locations to achieve a consistent user experience across Signatory States;
• Use and promote the REV West Voluntary Minimum Standards for EV charging stations and explore opportunities for implementing the standards in Signatory States;
• Identify and develop opportunities to incorporate EV charging stations into planning and development processes such as building codes, metering policies, and renewable energy generation projects;
• Encourage EV manufacturers to stock and market a wide variety of EVs within the Signatory States;
• Identify, respond to, and collaborate on funding opportunities to support the development of the plan; and
• Support the build-out of direct current (DC) fast charging stations along EV corridors through investments, partnerships, and other mechanisms.

Public Utility Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Authorization

A public utility may provide electric service to an EVSE under a rate approved by the commission, which must be designed to fully recover the cost of providing the service from the EVSE customer. (Reference Montana Code Annotated 69-8-803)

Public Utility Definition

An entity that operates electric vehicle supply equipment is not defined as a public utility. Reference Montana Code Annotated 69-8-803)