Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Sales Requirements and Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards

Any new light-duty passenger car, light-duty truck, or medium-duty passenger vehicle sold, leased, imported, delivered, purchased, or acquired in New York State must be certified to the California motor vehicle emissions standards and compliance requirements specified in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. Manufacturers must meet the greenhouse gas emissions standard and the ZEV production and sales requirements. (Reference New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regulations Chapter III, Part 218)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Research and Development Funding

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) Clean Transportation Program provides funding for projects that enhance mobility, improve efficiency, reduce congestion, and diversify transportation methods and fuels through research and development of advanced technologies. NYSERDA offers annual solicitations that support new product development and demonstration as well as research on new transportation policies and strategies. NYSERDA also supports projects that demonstrate the benefits of commercially available products that are underutilized in New York State. Once developed, NYSERDA provides incentives to accelerate the market introduction of emerging technologies through its ChargeNY Program. For more information and funding opportunities, see the NYSERDA Clean Transportation Program website.

Low-Speed Vehicle Definition

A low-speed vehicle is defined as a limited use automobile or truck that has a maximum speed greater than 20 miles per hour (mph) but not more than 25 mph and has a gross vehicle weight rating less than 3,000 pounds. All low-speed vehicles must comply with the safety standards established in Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. (Reference New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 121-f)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Access to Tunnels

An AFV powered by propane or natural gas may only use Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) tunnels and the lower level of the George Washington Bridge if the vehicle conforms to applicable federal regulations and industry standards, displays required markings to identify its alternative fuel system, and has a fuel capacity that does not exceed 150 pounds. For more information, see the PANYNJ Truckers' Resources website.

Aftermarket Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Conversion Requirements

Conventional original equipment manufacturer vehicles altered to operate on propane, natural gas, methane, ethanol, or electricity are classified as aftermarket AFV conversions. All vehicle conversions must meet current applicable California Air Resources Board standards for aftermarket conversions. (Reference New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regulations Chapter III, Subpart 218)

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Requirements

All sales or leases of new light-duty passenger vehicles in New York must be ZEVs by 2035, and all sales or leases of new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles must be ZEVs by 2045. All off-road vehicle and equipment sales must be zero emission by 2035.

• Regulations and strategies to meet the 2035 and 2045 goals;
• A ZEV market development strategy by January 31, 2023, and update it triennially;
• Strategies to accelerate deployment of affordable ZEV infrastructure that serves low-income and disadvantaged communities; and,
• Near-term actions and investment strategies to improve ZEV infrastructure by July 15, 2023.