Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations in Alexandria

Electric Vehicle (EV) Incentives in Alexandria, VA

Tax incentives and/or other incentives for drivers of electric vehicles in Alexandria.

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) displaying the Virginia Clean Special Fuel license plate may use Virginia HOV lanes, 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. For express lanes serving the I-95/I-395 corridor, registered vehicles displaying Clean Special Fuel license plates are not exempt from HOV lane occupancy requirements, but may use the lanes toll-free if equipped with an E-ZPass Flex set to "HOV" mode. Vehicles displaying Clean Special Fuel license plates are exempt from the Dulles Toll Road HOV lane requirements. Eligible vehicles include dedicated AFVs and some hybrid electric vehicles; 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, 2019. 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 and Vehicle Tax

Alternative fuels used to operate on-road vehicles are taxed at a rate of $0.162 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 (DMV) Fuels Tax Rates and Alternative Fuels Conversion website for fuel-specific GGE calculations. All-electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Virginia are subject to a $64.00 annual license tax at time of registration. For more information, see the Virginia DMV Electric Vehicles website. (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 but not greater than 25 miles per hour. 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 miles per hour 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)

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

The Virginia emissions inspection program, which requires biennial inspections of motor vehicles, does not apply to vehicles exclusively powered by compressed or liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), hydrogen, a combination of compressed natural gas and hydrogen, or electricity. 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)

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 certified Virginia safety inspector that the conversion to electric propulsion is complete and proof that the vehicle has passed a Virginia safety inspection. The inspector may charge a fee, not to exceed $40, 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)

All-Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate - Virginia Utilities

Current employee and customers of Virginia utilities can receive a $3,000 rebate for the purchase of a new 2018 Nissan Leaf. To receive the rebate, show proof of employment at a Virginia utility or a copy of a current Virginia utility bill at participating Nissan dealerships with the Nissan Leaf Rebate Flyer. Rebates are available through September 30, 2018.