Tax incentives and/or other incentives for drivers of electric vehicles in Boulder.
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 42-4-508)
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)
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) provides grants through the Charge Ahead Colorado program to support EV and EV charger adoption by individual drivers and fleets. Grants will fund 80% of the cost of EV charger, up to the following amounts:
| EV Charger Type | Power Output Rating | Maximum Incentive per Station |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Under 19 kilowatts (kW) | $4,500 |
| Level 2 | 19 to 49 kW | $6,250 |
| Single-Port Direct Current (DC) Fast Charger | 50 to 99 kW | $35,000 |
| Dual-Port DC Fast Charger | 50 to 99 kW | $50,000 |
| Single-Port DC Fast Charger | Greater than 99 kW | $50,000 |
| Dual-Port DC Fast Charger | Greater than 99 kW | $70,000 |
Enhanced incentives of up to 90% of the cost of a Level 2 EV charger 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)
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 42-1-102, 42-4-109.5, and 42-4-109.6)
A tenant may install Level 1 or Level 2 EV charger 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 charger be accessible by other tenants, in which case the EV charger 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 chargers. Common interest communities are encouraged to allow use of EV chargers and to apply for grants from the Electric Vehicle Grant Fund or otherwise fund the installation of EV chargers on common property as an amenity for residents and guests.
(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 38-12-601 and 38-33.3-106.8)
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:
| FY | All-Electric Vehicle Fee | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | $12 | $8 |
| 2025-2026 | $16 | $11 |
| 2026-2027 | $26 | $13 |
| 2027-2028 | $36 | $16 |
| 2028-2029 | $51 | $19 |
| 2029-2030 | $66 | $21 |
| 2030-2031 | $81 | $24 |
| 2031-2032 | $96 | $27 |
(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-3-304)
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)
Qualified EVs and FCEVs titled and registered in Colorado are eligible for a tax credit. Light-duty EVs and FCEVs purchased or leased before January 1, 2029, are eligible for a tax credit equal to the amounts below, per calendar year:
| Vehicle Type | Prior to July 1, 2023 | July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light-duty EV or FCEV | $2,000 for purchase; $1,500 for lease | $5,000 | $5,000 | $3,500 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Light-duty electric or hydrogen fuel cell truck | 3,500 for purchase; $1,750 for lease | $2,800 for purchase; $1,750 for lease | $5,000 | $3,500 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Medium-duty electric or hydrogen fuel cell truck | $5,000 for purchase; $2,500 for lease | $4,000 for purchase; $2,500 for lease | $12,000 | $12,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| Heavy-duty electric or hydrogen fuel cell truck | $10,000 for purchase; $5,000 for lease | $8,000 for purchase; $5,000 for lease | $12,000 | $12,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 |
Light-duty EVs or FCEVs 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 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)
Any vehicle that is not actively charging may not park in designated EV charging parking spaces. An EV is presumed to not be charging if it is parked at a charger and is not connected to the charger for longer than 30 minutes. Some exclusions apply, including for EVs parked at lodging or airports, and between the hours of 11pm and 5am. The penalty for violation is $182.
(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-1-102, 42-4-1213, and 42-4-1701)
The Department of Revenue must issue a special license plate for EVs. The taxes and fees for the EV license plates are the same as the amount as the taxes and fees for regular motor vehicle license plates.
(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-3-259)
Find all electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in and/or near Boulder (Colorado). Search and compare local EV charging stations in Boulder, and find a convenient location to charge your car.