Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirement

Fleets containing 50 or more vehicles that are owned, leased, or operated by the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision of the state in a county with a population of 100,000 or more must acquire AFVs or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certified Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs). Covered fleets are required to purchase either AFVs or certified ULEVs for 20% of new vehicles obtained. A fleet may meet the acquisition requirements by converting existing or newly acquired vehicles to operate on alternative fuels. An AFV acquired in compliance with this mandate must operate solely on the alternative fuel except when operating in an area where the appropriate alternative fuel is unavailable. Fleets with buses or heavy-duty vehicles are included. Parties that do not comply with the requirements may be subject to fines. (Reference Nevada Administrative Code 486A.010 through 486A.250, and Nevada Revised Statutes 486A.010 through 486A.180)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Emissions Inspection Exemption

AFVs are exempt from Nevada's emissions testing requirements. A new HEV is exempt from emissions inspection testing for the first five model years, after which the vehicle must comply with emissions inspection testing requirements on an annual basis. For more information, see the Nevada Emissions Control Program website. (Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 445B.770 through 445B.825)

Funds for School District Alternative Fuel Use

A portion of any penalty assessed for violations of air pollution control laws must be deposited in the county school district fund where the violation occurred. The local air pollution control board must approve expenditures from the fund, which are limited to education programs on topics relating to air quality and projects to improve air quality, including purchasing and installing equipment to retrofit district school buses to operate on biodiesel, compressed natural gas, or a similar fuel that reduces emissions. (Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 445B.500)

Authorization for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

The Nevada Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, may establish a program allowing federally certified low emission, energy-efficient, and alternative fuel vehicles to operate in HOV lanes regardless of the number of passengers. (Reference Nevada Revised Statutes 484A.463)

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Charging Rate Incentive - NV Energy

Nevada Energy (NV Energy) offers discounted electricity rates to residential customers in the northern and southern service territories who charge PEVs during off-peak hours. The discounted rate applies to all electricity use on the premises during off-peak hours. To participate, customers must allow NV Energy access to their electric meters. For more information, see the Electric Vehicle Rate website.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Demonstration Program Requirements

The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration Program (Program) requires Nevada utilities to promote and incentivize the deployment of EVSE. Utilities must submit an annual plan for implementing the Program in their service areas to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN). Plans may include, but are not limited to, the following measures:

• Payment of incentives to customers that install EVSE;
• Time-of-use rates for electricity used to charge plug-in electric vehicles;
• EVSE education and awareness programs for customers; and
• Technical assistance programs for government fleets and private organizations.

Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) West Plan

Nevada joined Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, 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. Signatory States are committed to:

• Create best practices and procedures that will enhance EV adoption by: promoting EV consumer acceptance and awareness by addressing range anxiety, coordinating on EV charging station locations, and leveraging economies of scale;
• Create minimum standards for EV charging stations, including standards for administration, interoperability, operations, and management;
• 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; and
• Identify, respond to, and collaborate on funding opportunities to support the development of the Plan.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Incentives - NV Energy

Nevada Energy (NV Energy) provides rebates for the purchase and installation of Level 2 EVSE and DC fast charging stations. Eligible projects include charging for fleet, workplace, and multi-unit dwellings. NV Energy offers rebates of 75% of project costs, up to $3,000 per connector, for Level 2 EVSE. Level 2 EVSE projects must include at least two but no more than 10 connectors. DC fast chargers are eligible for up to $15,000 per station, with no more than five stations per project. Applicants must reserve funds prior to beginning construction and complete the project within one year, at which point they will receive the rebate.

NV Energy also funds projects that do not fall within the scope of fleet, workplace, or multi-unit dwelling charging through the Electric Vehicle Custom Grant program.

For more information, see the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Incentives Program Handbook and the NV Energy Electric Vehicles website.

Idle Reduction Technology, Natural Gas Vehicle, and Plug-in Electric Vehicle Weight Exemption

Effective October 1, 2019, any motor vehicle equipped with an auxiliary power unit or other qualified idle reduction technology may exceed the maximum gross vehicle weight limit by up to 550 pounds (lbs.) to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction technology. Natural gas vehicles and plug-in electric vehicles may exceed the maximum gross vehicle weight limit for comparable conventional fuel vehicles by up to 2,000 lbs. (Reference Assembly Bill 377, 2019)