Alternative Fuel Stations in Charlottesville, VA

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 Charlottesville, VA.

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) displaying the Virginia Clean Special Fuel license plate may use Virginia HOV lanes on specified areas of I-64, I-264, I-564, the Dulles Toll Road, and in the City of Alexandria, regardless of the number of occupants. For HOV lanes serving the I-66 corridor, only registered vehicles displaying Clean Special Fuel license plates issued before July 1, 2011, are exempt from HOV lane requirements. Only dedicated AFVs are eligible; see the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website for a complete list of qualifying vehicles. The annual fee for Clean Special Fuel license plates is $25 in addition to the prescribed fee for commonwealth license plates. This exemption expires September 30, 2025. For more information, see the Virginia Department of Transportation HOV Lanes website.

(Reference Virginia Code 33.2-501 and 46.2-749.3)

Alternative Fuel Tax

Alternative fuels used to operate on-road vehicles are taxed at a rate of $0.262 per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE). Alternative fuels are taxed at the same rate as gasoline and gasohol (5.1% of the statewide average wholesale price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded regular gasoline). Refer to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Fuels Tax Rates and Alternative Fuels Conversion website for fuel-specific GGE calculations.

(Reference Virginia Code 58.1-2217 and 58.1-2249)

Low-Speed Vehicle Access to Roadways

A low-speed vehicle is defined as a four-wheeled electrically- or gas-powered vehicle capable of achieving a maximum speed of at least 20 miles per hour (mph) but not greater than 25 mph. The vehicle must comply with safety standards specified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. Low-speed vehicles titled and registered with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must display designated DMV license plates. Low-speed vehicles may not operate on roads with posted speed limits of more than 35 mph or on roads where the Virginia Department of Transportation or the local governing body has prohibited their use.

(Reference Virginia Code 46.2-100, 46.2-908.2, 46.2-908.3, and 46.2-711)

Idle Reduction and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Weight Exemption

Any motor vehicle equipped with an auxiliary power unit or other idle reduction technology may exceed the gross, single axle, tandem axle, or bridge formula weight limits by up to 550 pounds (lbs.) to compensate for the added weight of the idle reduction technology. Furthermore, any natural gas or electric vehicle may exceed the limits by up to 2,000 lbs. To be eligible for the weight exemption, certification of the weight of the auxiliary power unit or proof that the vehicle operates on natural gas, and a demonstration that the vehicle is fully functional must be available to law enforcement officials.

(Reference Virginia Code 46.2-1129.1 through 46.2-1129.2)

Alternative Fuel and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Emissions Testing Exemption

Vehicles powered exclusively by natural gas, propane, hydrogen, a combination of compressed natural gas and hydrogen, or electricity are exempt from the Virginia emissions inspection program. Qualified HEVs with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings of at least 50 miles per gallon (city) are also exempt from the emissions inspection program unless remote sensing devices indicate the HEV may not meet current emissions standards. For more information, including a list of HEVs that qualify, see the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Emissions Inspections website.

(Reference Virginia Code 46.2-1177 through 46.2-1178 and 46.2-749.3)

Aftermarket Electric Vehicle (EV) Conversion Regulations

Any motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, that has been modified to replace the internal combustion engine with an electric propulsion system must be titled by and registered with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) as a converted EV. DMV converted EV registration requires certification by a Virginia safety inspector that the conversion to electric propulsion is complete and proof that the vehicle has passed a Virginia safety inspection. There is a $15 fee, in addition to any fee imposed for Virginia safety inspection.

Converted EVs must be equipped with special equipment, including high voltage cables, a temperature monitoring system for traction batteries other than lead acid batteries, and labeling on three sides of the vehicle identifying it as “Converted Electric.”

For more information, see the DMV Titling a Converted EV website.

(Reference Virginia Code 46.2-602.3, 46.2-625, and 46.2-1001.1)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate – Appalachian Power Company

Appalachian Power Company offers a TOU rate to residential customers that own an EV. Eligible customers must have a meter that is capable of separately identifying EV usage. For more information, including billing rates and additional service conditions, see the Appalachian Power Company Virginia Rates & Tariffs website. This service is experimental and only available until September 12, 2023.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Policies for Associations

Homeowners associations (HOAs) or condominium associations may not prohibit the installation of an EV charging station for personal use within the EV charging station owner’s designated parking space. HOAs may establish restrictions on the number, size, placement, manner of installation, and insurance requirements for the EV charging station if it is installed on the exterior of the property or in a common area. HOAs are not liable for the EV charging station.

A condominium association may prohibit the installation of an EV charging station if it is not technically feasible or practical due to safety risks, structural issues, or engineering conditions. Condominiums may establish requirements on the manner of installation, architectural design, insurance requirements, and community-related expenses for the EV charging station.

(Reference Virginia Code 55.1-1823.1, 55.1-1962.1, and 55.1-2139.1)

Residential Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Rebate – Dominion Energy

Dominion Energy offers residential customers a rebate of $125 for the purchase of a new Level 2 EV charging station. To be eligible, customers must enroll in Dominion Energy’s demand response program and register their EV charging station on or after March 1, 2021. Customers will also receive an annual payment of $40 on the anniversary of their enrollment in the demand response program. For more information, including additional eligibility requirements, see the Dominion Energy EV Charger Rewards website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Fee

EV owners must pay an annual highway fee of $116.49 or a per-mile road use fee. These fees are in addition to standard vehicle registration fees. For more information, see the Virginia Department of Transportation Highway Use Fee website.

(Reference Virginia Code 46.2-770 through 46.2-773)