Alternative Fuel Stations in Boulder, CO

Tax incentives and/or other rebates, credits, incentives or related initiaves for drivers of alternative fuel vehicles or for other uses of alternative fuel in Boulder, CO.

Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Sales Tax Exemption

Vehicles, vehicle power sources, or parts used for converting a vehicle power source to reduce emissions are exempt from state sales and use tax. Exempt vehicles include vehicles certified to federal LEV standards that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 26,000 pounds (lbs.). The exemption also applies if the GVWR is greater than 10,000 lbs. and if the vehicle, power source, or parts used for converting the power source meet the definition of a category 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 7, or 7A truck, as defined in Colorado Revised Statutes 39-22-516.8. The vehicle power source includes the engine or motor and associated wiring, fuel lines, engine coolant system, fuel storage containers, and other components.

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 39-26-719)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Weight Exemption

Gross vehicle weight rating limits for AFVs are 2,000 pounds greater than those for comparable conventional vehicles, as long as the AFVs operate using an alternative fuel or both alternative and conventional fuel, when operating on a highway that is not part of the interstate system. For the purpose of this exemption, alternative fuel is defined as compressed natural gas, propane, ethanol, or any mixture containing 85% or more ethanol (E85) with gasoline or other fuels, electricity, or any other fuels, which may include clean diesel and reformulated gasoline, so long as the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission determines that these other fuels result in comparable reductions in carbon monoxide emissions and brown cloud pollutants.

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 24-4-1104 and 42-4-508)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Registration

Upon registering a motor vehicle with the Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles, the vehicle owner must report the type of alternative fuel used to operate the vehicle and whether the vehicle is dedicated to one alternative fuel or uses more than one fuel. The Department of Revenue provides forms for the purpose of registering motor vehicles and must include space for the following fuel types: gasoline, diesel, propane, electricity, natural gas, methanol/M85, ethanol/E85, biodiesel, and other. For more information, see the Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles website.

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-3-113)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Grants

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) provides grants through the Charge Ahead Colorado program to support EV and EV charging stations adoption by individual drivers and fleets. Grants will fund 80% of the cost of EV charging station, up to the following amounts:

Enhanced incentives of up to 90% of the cost of a Level 2 EV charging station are available for income qualified applicants and entities in disproportionately impacted communities. Eligible applicants include local governments; state and federal government agencies; public universities; public transit agencies; private non-profit or for-profit corporations; landlords of multi-unit dwellings; and owners associations of common interest communities. For more information, including application deadlines, see the CEO Charge Ahead Colorado website.

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 24-38.5-103)

Low-Speed Electric Vehicle (EV) Access to Roadways

A low-speed EV is self-propelled using electricity as its primary propulsion method, has at least three wheels in contact with the ground, does not use handlebars to steer, displays a vehicle identification number, and meets manufacturer requirements as defined in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations section 565. A low-speed EV may be operated on a roadway with a speed limit of up to 40 miles per hour (mph) as long as the roadway’s lane is at least 11 feet wide, the roadway provides two or more lanes in either direction, and the Colorado Department of Transportation has determined that operation of a low-speed EV on the roadway poses no substantial safety risk. Otherwise, a low-speed EV may only be operated on a roadway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Regardless, a low-speed EV may directly cross any roadway with a speed limit greater than 35 mph. A Class-B low-speed EV is defined as a low-speed EV that is capable of traveling at greater than 25 mph but less than 45 mph. A Class-B low-speed EV may be operated only on a roadway with a speed limit of 45 mph or less, but may directly cross a roadway with a speed limit greater than 45 mph. The Colorado Department of Revenue may not register or issue a title for a Class-B low-speed EV until after the U.S. Department of Transportation has adopted a federal motor vehicle safety standard for low-speed EVs that authorizes operation at greater than 25 mph but less than 45 mph. Neither a low-speed EV nor a Class-B low-speed EV may be operated on a limited-access highway.

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 12-6-120, 42-1-102, 42-4-109.5, 42-4-109.6)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Policies for Multi-Unit Dwellings

A tenant may install Level 1 or Level 2 EV charging station at their own expense on or in leased premises. The landlord may seek a fee or reimbursement for the actual cost of electricity as well as the cost of installation or upgrades to existing equipment. In addition, the tenant may request that the EV charging station be accessible by other tenants, in which case the EV charging station must comply with all applicable property requirements, and the landlord may seek a fee to reserve a specific parking space. The landlord may also require the tenant to comply with safety, system registration, and aesthetic requirements or provisions.

Common interest communities must also provide residents with an opportunity to charge EVs and may not create restrictions around EV charging stations. Common interest communities are encouraged to allow use of EV charging stations and to apply for grants from the Electric Vehicle Grant Fund or otherwise fund the installation of EV charging stations on common property as an amenity for residents and guests.

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 38-12-601 and 38-33.3-106.8)

Alternative Fuel Tax

Compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and propane are subject to excise tax imposed on a per gallon basis as follows:

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 39-27-102)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Fee

EV owners must pay an annual fee of $50 for an EV decal, in addition to other registration fees. For registration periods beginning during Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and every subsequent year, the Colorado Department of Revenue is authorized to adjust the registration fee for inflation. Additionally, beginning in FY 2022, the state may collect an EV road usage equalization fee at the time of registration. Registration fees for each FY are as follows:

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-3-304)

Electric Vehicle Emissions Inspection Exemption

Vehicles powered exclusively by electricity are exempt from state motor vehicle emissions inspections. For more information, see the Air Care Colorado website.

(Reference Code of Colorado Regulations 204-11)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Tax Credit

Qualified EVs titled and registered in Colorado are eligible for a tax credit. Light-duty EVs purchased or leased before January 1, 2029, are eligible for a tax credit equal to the amounts below, per calendar year:

Light-duty EVs purchased or leased between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2029, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price below $35,000 may receive an additional tax credit of $2,500.

The credit amount for any qualifying truck is limited to the difference in manufacturer’s suggested retail price between the qualifying truck and a comparable truck that operates on either gasoline or diesel fuel. Eligible purchased vehicles must be new, and eligible leased vehicles may not have a lease term of less than two years. The financing entity may collect an administrative fee of no more than $250.

For more information, see the Colorado Department of Revenue Individual Income Individual Tax Guidance Publications website.

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 39-22-516.5, 39-22-516.7, and 39-22-516.8 and House Bill 1272, 2023)