Frequently Asked Questions

Congress passed EPAct in 1992. Several Titles of EPAct, especially Titles III–V, aim to reduce U.S. dependence on imported petroleum. These provisions require certain fleets to purchase AFVs or reduce petroleum fuel consumption. DOE administers the statutory provisions through its State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleet and Federal Fleet Programs. EPAct also includes provisions that establish voluntary programs, such as Clean Cities and Communities, that accelerate the use of alternative fuels in transportation. For more information, visit the State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleets, Federal Fleets, and Clean Cities and Communities websites, or contact the Regulatory Information Line.

The best place to begin is the State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleets website, which includes these helpful resources:

• Background information on the Program and its two compliance methods: Standard Compliance and Alternative Compliance
• Links to statutes and regulations related to the Program
• A detailed guidebook on Standard Compliance
• Guidance on exemption requests
• Information on biodiesel fuel use credits
• Guidance on Alternative Compliance
• Links to training resources for state and alternative fuel provider fleets. (Start at the Standard Compliance reporting tool log on page.)

The Regulatory Information Line is also available for Program-related inquiries.

If you are a new point of contact (POC) for an existing fleet or your fleet is reporting for the first time, request new fleet access. You will receive a welcome packet from the Program administrator to help guide you through the reporting process.

See the list of alternative fuels. Note that like pure biodiesel (B100), pure renewable diesel (RD100) is an alternative fuel.

Under the Program, an AFV is any dedicated or dual-fueled vehicle. A dedicated vehicle operates solely on an alternative fuel(s). A dual-fueled (sometimes called a bi-fueled or flexible fuel) vehicle is a vehicle capable of operating on alternative fuel(s) and conventional fuel (gasoline or diesel). For example, a bi-fueled natural gas vehicle stores compressed natural gas in one fuel tank and gasoline in another, and the driver can choose the fuel used by the vehicle at any given time. Most of the dual-fueled vehicles on the road today are flexible fuel vehicles, which store E85 and gasoline in a single fuel tank and can operate on either fuel or any mixture of the two. Note that light-duty vehicles warranted to operate on B20 qualify as AFVs.

10 C.F.R. section 490.604 of the Program regulations identifies the applicable penalties:

• A civil fine of $10,506 per violation
• A criminal fine of up to $10,000 per violation for willful violations
• A criminal fine of up to $50,000 per violation for certain repeated violations.

Any light-duty vehicle is an AFV if it is a dedicated vehicle or is a dual-fueled vehicle by virtue of meeting NHTSA's minimum driving range criteria for dual-fueled automobiles. The light-duty hybrid vehicles on the market as of the end of the 2019 calendar year come in various engine configurations. Some are conventional hybrid vehicles that have gasoline engines and no capacity to operate on other alternative fuels nor to enable fueling from off-board sources (e.g., Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Ford Fusion Hybrid). These vehicles do not qualify as AFVs because they are neither dedicated vehicles nor capable of operating on a liquid (e.g., E85) or gaseous (e.g., compressed natural gas) alternative fuel. Although these hybrid vehicles can operate at low speeds for short distances on the energy captured through regenerative braking, that electricity does not come from an off-board source. Consequently, the acquisition of such a hybrid vehicle by a covered fleet is not treated as an AFV acquisition. Beginning model year 2014, though, light-duty hybrid vehicles that are not AFVs have been eligible for ½ of an AFV credit.

Other light-duty hybrid vehicles include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and in most cases these are AFVs. Those that qualify as dedicated or dual-fueled vehicles are AFVs, and a fleet's acquisition of such a PHEV is treated as an AFV acquisition. PHEVs that can complete the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urban and highway test cycles on electricity alone or have an engine capable of operating on a liquid or gaseous alternative fuel qualify as AFVs. As of model year 2014, PHEVs that are not AFVs receive ½ of an AFV credit. To find out if a particular 2014 or later PHEV is a dual-fueled vehicle and thus also an AFV, DOE encourages covered fleets to review the EPA/U.S. Department of Transportation fuel economy and environment label (also known as the fuel economy window sticker or the Monroney label) that is posted on all new light-duty vehicles. If the label on the particular vehicle says, "This is a dual-fueled automobile," the PHEV meets the NHTSA minimum driving range criteria for dual-fueled electric automobiles, is a dual-fueled vehicle, and thus is an AFV under the Program. If the PHEV is not a dual-fueled automobile, it is a conventional hybrid vehicle and eligible for ½ AFV credit. Fleet managers may verify whether their vehicles are AFVs using DOE's Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search tool.

As of model year 2014, medium- and heavy-duty hybrid vehicles that are not AFVs receive ½ of an AFV credit. Medium- and heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) that are not AFVs (i.e., non-alternative fueled FCEVs) receive ½ of an AFV credit. In the same way that medium- and heavy-duty AFVs are treated under the Program, credit is not allocated unless the fleet has already met its light-duty AFV-acquisition requirements for the given model year.

Presently, there is no test to determine whether a medium- or heavy-duty plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is a dual-fueled vehicle, and hence an AFV. Until such time as a test procedure or relevant criteria are established for such vehicles, medium- and heavy-duty PHEVs are considered AFVs. As with other medium- and heavy-duty AFVs (e.g., medium- and heavy-duty battery electric vehicles, medium- and heavy-duty flexible fuel vehicles), DOE will allocate 1 AFV credit (i.e., 1 per vehicle) for the acquisition of such a vehicle.

To obtain AFV credit for any of these non-AFV vehicle acquisitions, include the following vehicle-specific information in the credit activity portion of your fleet's annual report: vehicle make and model; model year of manufacture; vehicle identification number; and acquisition date.

Although they do not use any petroleum, NEVs are not and can never be AFVs under EPAct. As of model year 2014, though, NEVs receive ¼ of an AFV credit, and the acquisition of an NEV is not factored into the calculation of a fleet's annual AFV-acquisition requirements.

To obtain AFV credit for an NEV acquisition, include the following vehicle-specific information in the vehicle portion of your fleet's annual report (Tab 3 in the online reporting tool): vehicle make and model; model year of manufacture; vehicle identification number; and acquisition date.

Assuming an electric golf cart meets the definition of "neighborhood electric vehicle" in 10 C.F.R. section 490.501, a fleet can receive ¼ of an AFV credit for the acquisition of the golf cart. Please note, however, that many electric golf carts as manufactured do not have a top attainable speed of more than 20 mph and, therefore, do not meet the definition of NEV, which states that the vehicle must have a top attainable speed of more than 20 mph and not more than 25 mph. Electric golf carts that do not qualify as NEVs do, however, qualify as alternative fuel non-road equipment, and fleets can earn AFV credit for their investments in such equipment.

Yes. As of model year 2014, your fleet will receive 1 AFV credit for every $25,000 that it invested during a model year in alternative fuel infrastructure. Note, though, that credit is not available for any such investments made prior to model year 2014.

Yes. A covered fleet receives 1 AFV credit for every $25,000 that it invested during a model year in "alternative fuel infrastructure," whether the infrastructure is public or private and whether it is owned/operated by the fleet or not. A fleet can receive up to 10 AFV credits in a given model year for its investment in a fueling station that is publicly accessible, and a maximum of 5 AFV credits for its investment in a private station. Credits are not available for investments related to moving a station from one private location to a different private location, but if the station is being converted from a private station to a public station, credits would be available.

Yes. The rebates or other financial incentives that a fleet provides to its customers constitute investments in alternative fuel infrastructure, so your fleet can receive 1 AFV credit for every $25,000 invested during a model year.

No, a fleet may not earn credit under the Program for rebates or any other financial incentives it provides to customers for the installation of residential (or other private) EV charging stations that are accessible only to the homeowner or property owner. Because such stations are typically intended for the charging of one or two (or in any event a very small number of) personal electric vehicles, they are not considered either public or non-publicly accessible alternative fuel infrastructure.

"Alternative fuel infrastructure" means a fueling station for motor vehicles that operate on a liquid or gaseous alternative fuel, or a charging station for plug-in vehicles (e.g., battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, neighborhood electric vehicles), but the term does not include simple electrical outlets for charging.

In addition to alternative fuel infrastructure investments, your fleet may receive 1 AFV credit for every $25,000 that it invested during a model year in alternative fuel non-road equipment, and 2 AFV credits for the first $50,000 (and an additional AFV credit for every $25,000 thereafter) that it invested during a model year in an emerging technology. The in-service date must be within the model year in which the credit is sought.

"Alternative fuel non-road equipment" means mobile (i.e., self-propelled) non-road equipment that operates on alternative fuel, and includes, for example, mobile cargo and handling, farm, landscaping, and construction equipment.

"Emerging technology" means pre-production or pre-commercially available versions of a fuel cell electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle, medium- or heavy-duty electric or fuel cell electric vehicle, neighborhood electric vehicle, or plug-in electric drive vehicle. For questions about whether a vehicle qualifies as an emerging technology vehicle or for questions about options for obtaining credit for these vehicles, contact the Program.

To obtain AFV credit for your fleet's investments, include investment-specific information in the investments portion of your fleet's annual report. For alternative fuel infrastructure investments, the necessary information is identified in 10 C.F.R. section 490.508(b)(5). For alternative fuel non-road equipment and emerging technology investments, the necessary information is identified in sections 490.508(b)(6) and 490.508(b)(7).

DOE recognizes that investments in any of the three investment categories for which credit is available as of model year 2014 may span more than one model year. For each type of investment, a fleet is eligible for AFV credit in the year the alternative fuel infrastructure, alternative fuel non-road equipment, or emerging technology is put into operation. In this example, your fleet should seek 2 AFV credits in the year the E85 station became operational.

Yes. For model year 2014 and later, although DOE does not allocate fractional credits for investments, a fleet may aggregate the sums that it invested during a particular model year in order to reach an applicable AFV credit threshold. In this case, your fleet may aggregate the $10,000 and $15,000 investments, which alone would be insufficient to earn any credit, and receive 1 AFV credit so long as your fleet provides the necessary information for each of the investments.

"Emerging technology" means "pre-production or pre-commercially available versions of a fuel cell electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle, medium- or heavy-duty electric [or] fuel cell electric vehicle, neighborhood electric vehicle, or plug-in electric drive vehicle." For a technology to be an "emerging technology," it must be a pre-production or pre-commercially available version of one of the electric drive vehicles identified in Section 133 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). If a technology is available for sale, even if for sale only in one region or area of the United States, the technology is no longer pre-commercial or pre-production. Once the technology has reached the point of being commercially available or mass-produced and thus is beyond the stage of demonstration or initial data collection, the provision of any investment credit under the Program would be inappropriate inasmuch as AFV credit for the vehicle's acquisition is available.

Yes. It is not necessary for a fleet to have an AFV-acquisition requirement or to have satisfied its light-duty AFV-acquisition requirement before the fleet may earn credit(s) for its investments in alternative fuel infrastructure, alternative fuel non-road equipment, or emerging technology. If the fleet has no AFV-acquisition requirement for that model year, the credits may be banked. If the fleet has an AFV-acquisition requirement in that model year, the credits earned under the Program's investment provisions may be used to help the fleet achieve that requirement.

Covered fleets may earn AFV credits for such investments in the model year in which the infrastructure/non-road equipment/emerging technology becomes operational. The funds committed towards those investments, through an amortization schedule for example, are deemed expended for the purpose of earning credits. The covered fleet will have to provide evidence of the commitment of those funds for the infrastructure, equipment, or emerging technology that was deployed/became operational in that model year. Fleets should claim the entire investment in the model year in which the infrastructure/equipment/pre-production vehicles became operational. None should be claimed until then, and none may be claimed after.

No. Covered fleets may earn AFV credits for such investments only for those funds that are its own and that it commits to the alternative fuel infrastructure, alternative fuel non-road equipment, or emerging technology. DOE does not consider funds that a covered fleet may have received in the form of a grant or other monetary award the fleet's own funds. Thus, if a fleet applies toward alternative fuel infrastructure $50,000 of its own money and $25,000 it received from a grant for the project, the fleet may earn only AFV credits for the $50,000 of its own money that it expended.

Yes. If, after making an investment, a fleet applies for and receives a rebate, the full investment amount, including the amount later rebated, is eligible for AFV credit. DOE treats rebates differently than grants or other funding awards because at the time an investment is made, there usually is no guarantee that the fleet will receive a rebate.

A light-duty vehicle is an AFV if it is a dedicated vehicle or is a dual-fueled vehicle by virtue of meeting NHTSA's minimum driving range criteria for dual-fueled automobiles. NHTSA's requirement that a vehicle have a minimum driving range of 200 miles to be considered a dual-fueled automobile does not apply to battery electric vehicles (e.g., the Nissan LEAF) or to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with a conventional petroleum engine, but rather only applies to vehicles that are capable of operating on alternative fuel other than electricity or compressed natural gas (e.g., E85, liquefied petroleum gas). The Nissan LEAF is an AFV by virtue of the fact that it is a dedicated vehicle—it operates solely on alternative fuel (i.e., electricity). NHTSA specifies that for a PHEV to be a dual-fueled electric automobile (and hence an AFV under DOE's Program), it must be able to complete the EPA urban and highway test cycles on electricity alone. The Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius Prime met these NHTSA criteria for recent model years and thus are each an example of a PHEV that is a dual-fueled vehicle and, hence, an AFV.

No. To be eligible for AFV credit under the new rule, an acquired medium- or heavy-duty vehicle must have an electric drivetrain. Even though DOE excludes hydraulic hybrid and electric bucket system technologies from AFV credit under the Section 133 rule, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with these technologies may be used to demonstrate petroleum fuel use reductions under the Program's Alternative Compliance option.

Alternative fuel non-road equipment must be mobile (e.g., electric, natural gas, or propane-fueled forklifts) to be considered eligible for credit as non-road equipment, and expenditures on such equipment would be considered investments in non-road equipment rather than investments in alternative fuel infrastructure. Alternative fuel infrastructure encompasses more traditional infrastructure, such as E85 fueling stations or electric vehicle charging stations.

These terms are relevant to determining whether a fleet has a sufficient number of non-excluded vehicles to be considered a "covered fleet" under the Program.

The term "centrally fueled" means that a vehicle is fueled at least 75% of the time at a location that is owned, operated, or controlled by the fleet or covered person, or is under contract with the fleet or covered person for refueling purposes.

The term "capable of being centrally fueled" means that a vehicle can be fueled at least 75% of the time at a location that is owned, operated, or controlled by the fleet or covered person, or at a location that is under contract with the fleet or covered person for fueling purposes.

Some fleets may conclude that they do not currently own, operate, or control a fueling location, and also do not currently have a contractual fueling arrangement with a privately owned facility (e.g., a commercial gas station). However, if an entity could own, operate, or control its own fueling location, or have a location through a contractual fueling arrangement, then its light-duty vehicles (LDVs) are "capable of being centrally fueled." Hence, if a fleet is able to have a contractual fueling arrangement for its LDVs (e.g., by entering into a purchasing agreement with a privately owned facility like a commercial gas station), then the fleet's LDVs are "capable of being centrally fueled."

To establish that its LDVs are not "capable of being centrally fueled," a fleet must demonstrate to DOE that it is unable (1) to own, operate, or control its own fueling location, and (2) to have a contractual fueling arrangement.

"MSA" stands for Metropolitan Statistical Area, while "CMSA" stands for Consolidated MSA. For purposes of the Program, MSAs and CMSAs are the metropolitan areas throughout the country that had a 1980 U.S. census population of 250,000 or more. Find a complete list of the MSAs and CMSAs covered under the Program or see Appendix A to Subpart A of the Program regulations (10 C.F.R. Part 490).

If your fleet is not, or is no longer, covered, one of the following conditions will apply:

• Not enough vehicles in the fleet [fewer than 50 light-duty vehicles (LDVs)] – DOE must receive information in writing before determining whether a fleet is not covered. Provide a list of all the LDVs [8,500 pounds or less gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)] currently in your fleet and include the make, model, and VIN of each vehicle.
• Not enough vehicles in a Metropolitan Statistical Area/Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA/CMSA; fewer than 20 LDVs in a single MSA/CMSA) – DOE must receive information in writing before determining whether a fleet is covered. Provide a list of all the LDVs currently in your fleet, where they are located, and their makes, models, and VINs.
• For alternative fuel providers, not enough revenue from alternative fuels – Send DOE written notification with certified financial statements or an annual report so that DOE may verify that your organization is not deriving at least 30% of its total revenues from the sale of an alternative fuel.
• Fleet not operating in any of the 125 MSAs/CMSAs listed in Appendix A to Subpart A of 10 C.F.R. Part 490 – Provide DOE with a map of your fleet's service territory and/or a list of the counties in which your fleet operates.

Please contact DOE at the Regulatory Information Line for help confirming your fleet's status.

Under Program regulations, specifically 10 C.F.R. Section 490.303, an entity is an alternative fuel provider if one of the following is true:

• Its "principal business" is producing, storing, refining, processing, transporting, distributing, importing, or selling—at wholesale or retail—any alternative fuel other than electricity
• Its "principal business" is generating, transmitting, importing, or selling—at wholesale or retail—electricity
• It produces, imports, or produces and imports (in combination) an average of 50,000 barrels per day or more of petroleum and derives 30% or more (a "substantial portion") of its gross annual revenues from the production of alternative fuels.

No. Your fleet only needs to include in its annual LDV-acquisition count the non-excluded LDVs that it acquired during model year 2019, and it only needs to provide details for the AFVs that it acquired during model year 2019. Please note, however, that because your fleet is brand new to the Program, it may obtain AFV credits for the AFVs, if any, it acquired in the prior model year, in this case model year 2018. Contact DOE at the Regulatory Information Line for assistance if this situation arises.

Yes, if the fleet meets the threshold size and location requirements that determine whether a fleet is subject to the Program. Although DOE allows each state to determine for itself which agencies operate or control a state fleet for reporting purposes, DOE expects states to follow the common understanding of what constitutes a "state agency." State agencies usually are authorized and funded by the state legislature, receive funding from the state budget, or are situated on state property. Examples of agencies that DOE expects to be classified as state agencies are departments, offices, and divisions of state government; port authorities; and state colleges and universities.

Covered fleets under the Program are automatically subject to Standard Compliance unless and until they obtain an Alternative Compliance waiver from DOE. Under the Standard Compliance method, covered fleets must acquire a certain number of AFVs each year based on the number of light-duty vehicles (LDVs) they acquire: for state fleets, 75% of their non-excluded LDV acquisitions must be light-duty AFVs, and for alternative fuel provider fleets, 90% of their non-excluded LDV acquisitions must be AFVs. In addition, covered alternative fuel provider fleets must use alternative fuels in their AFVs except when the AFVs are operating in an area where the particular fuel is not available. Covered fleets may meet up to 50% of their AFV-acquisition requirements through the purchase and use of biodiesel in blends of 20% or higher. Covered fleets may also meet their AFV-acquisition requirements through the acquisition of non-AFV electric vehicles and through investments in alternative fuel infrastructure, alternative fuel non-road equipment, or emerging technology.

A model year runs from September 1 of the previous calendar year through August 31. For example, model year 2021 is Sept. 1, 2020, through Aug. 31, 2021.

As an example:

1. Start with the number of LDVs new to your fleet that will be acquired during a given model year. Do not include NEVs.
2. Subtract any excluded vehicles.
3. Enter the remaining number (the LDV count) in the appropriate box in the online reporting tool or spreadsheet. Note that the online reporting tool and downloadable spreadsheet automatically calculate the number of LDVs that must be AFVs (the acquisition requirement): 75% of the LDV count for state fleets or 90% of the LDV count for alternative fuel provider fleets.
4. Note that rentals or leases of LDVs for 120 or more days qualify as LDV acquisitions and so must be included in covered fleet LDV-acquisition calculations for the model year in which the rental agreement/lease begins.
5. Note, too, that donated LDVs the fleet receives constitute LDV acquisitions during the model year in which they are received and so must also be included in covered fleet LDV-acquisition calculations.

Yes, your fleet should include light-duty AFVs, and all other LDVs, in the LDV-acquisition count, but it should not include any light-duty AFVs or LDVs that are on the list of excluded vehicles. Medium- or heavy-duty vehicles of any kind also should not be included in the LDV acquisition count.

Yes, used AFVs count as new acquisitions if they are new to the covered fleet that acquires them. Acquiring used AFVs may be a cost-effective way to meet requirements.

Any LDV that a covered alternative fuel provider fleet acquires is counted in determining its annual AFV-acquisition requirements, regardless of whether the LDV is located or operated within or outside an MSA or CMSA. Covered state fleets, however, need only count the acquired LDVs that are located or operated within an MSA or CMSA. In other words, an LDV that is acquired by a covered state fleet and located or operated outside an MSA or CMSA can be excluded from the fleet's annual LDV-acquisition count.

Yes. Even if the light-duty FFV is located or operated in an area where E85 is not available, DOE will treat it as an AFV acquisition and count it towards the fleet's annual AFV-acquisition requirements. DOE believes that this approach is appropriate because it spurs demand not only for the vehicle but also, more importantly, for the alternative fuel. Once E85 becomes available in the FFV's operating area, the alternative fuel provider fleet must use E85 in that FFV.

DOE strongly encourages alternative fuel provider fleets to review on a regular basis the availability of alternative fuels in their AFV operating areas. In particular, alternative fuel providers are advised to check DOE's Alternative Fueling Station Locator regularly.

DOE's rulemaking on biodiesel fuel use credits explains the conditions under which a covered fleet may receive credit for biodiesel. Under Standard Compliance, a covered fleet that purchases blends of B20 or higher for use as fuel in vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 8,500 pounds may receive credit for the neat (100%) biodiesel portion of the blends. (Note that the entire quantity of B20 or higher blends purchased does not have to be used before the end of the model year in which the purchase(s) was (were) made.) A fleet may receive 1 credit for 450 gallons of neat/pure biodiesel (2,250 gallons of B20) purchased for use in medium- or heavy-duty vehicles. Rounding up of biodiesel fuel use credits is not allowed, so the allocation of 1 biodiesel fuel use credit requires that at least 450 gallons of neat/pure biodiesel be purchased for use. Fleets may earn biodiesel fuel use credits to satisfy up to a maximum of 50% of their AFV-acquisition requirements in a given model year. (Biodiesel fuel providers may satisfy up to 100% of their annual AFV-acquisition requirements through biodiesel fuel use credits.)

When DOE determines whether a fleet is in compliance with its AFV-acquisition requirements, biodiesel fuel use credits are counted first, up to their allowable limit, and then light-duty AFV acquisitions are counted. If the sum of the two figures exceeds the required number of light-duty AFV acquisitions, the excess—as AFV credits—may be banked for use in future model years. Thus, although biodiesel fuel use credits themselves may not be banked or sold, when used in conjunction with AFV acquisitions, a fleet may end up with bankable or saleable AFV credits.

In order to receive a biodiesel fuel use credit for the purchase of renewable diesel for use in medium- or heavy-duty diesel vehicles, the following conditions apply:

• The renewable diesel must meet the definition of "biodiesel" in 10 CFR section 490.702. That is, the renewable diesel must be (1) produced from nonpetroleum renewable sources, and (2) registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 211 of the Clean Air Act. If the fuel meets these two criteria, a covered fleet may earn biodiesel fuel use credits for the purchase and use of the renewable diesel in its medium- or heavy-duty vehicles.
• Under 10 CFR 490.703(b)(1), biodiesel fuel use credits cannot be earned for any renewable diesel that meets the definition of "biodiesel" that is purchased for use in an AFV that the covered fleet has acquired and the AFV is one for which the fleet has earned credit in a prior model year or seeks to earn credit in the current model year. A covered fleet may earn AFV credit for acquiring a light-duty vehicle or a medium- or heavy-duty plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that is capable of operating on B20 or renewable diesel, but it may not earn credit both for the AFV acquisition and for the use of biodiesel/renewable diesel in the AFV.

Please see also Earning Biodiesel Fuel Use Credits Under Standard Compliance.

If a covered fleet ordered an AFV sufficiently early in a model year such that there was a reasonable expectation that delivery would occur before the end of the model year (i.e., by Aug. 31), and the delayed delivery was due to factors beyond the fleet's control, the fleet may include the AFV in its annual LDV-acquisition count and list the vehicle as an AFV acquisition in its annual report either in the model year in which the vehicle was ordered or in the model year in which the fleet actually acquired (i.e., took possession or control of) the vehicle. In other words, the fleet may choose in which of the two model years to count the vehicle's acquisition.

If, however, the fleet ordered the AFV (or non-excluded LDV) late in the model year such that it was unclear whether the vehicle would be delivered before the end of the model year, acquisition/delivery of the vehicle in the subsequent model year should be counted in that subsequent model year. For assistance with such instances, please contact the Regulatory Information Line.

Because the vehicle was ordered/purchased and the fleet took possession of it late in the first model year, the purchase date must be entered as the date of acquisition. This means the AFV should be reported in the earlier of the successive model years, not the later. The fleet cannot choose between the two in this circumstance.

In the annual reporting process, fleets must specify an AFV's fuel type and engine configuration. To determine fuel type and engine configuration, check the title or receipt from the dealer. For example, vehicles that operate on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and those that operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) can be either dual-fueled (they can use gasoline and/or an alternative fuel) or dedicated (they can only use an alternative fuel) and thus would be classified as "Dual Fuel" or "Dedicated Fuel" in the annual report. Ethanol (E85) vehicles are flexible fuel because the same gas tank can hold a mixture of gasoline and E85, and thus are classified as "Flex Fuel." Battery electric vehicles, also called all-electric vehicles, are dedicated and thus classified as "Dedicated Fuel." Gasoline-fueled PHEVs that qualify as AFVs should be classified as "Dual Fuel."

Check the vehicle's title or bill of sale, or check inside the fuel door. You can also identify an FFV by referring to the eighth position of the VIN in conjunction with manufacturer information. For example, if your fleet acquires a 2020 Ford Taurus, you can confirm by the VIN that the vehicle is alternative fuel (E85)-capable by checking the eighth digit of the VIN, which will be a "V." An alternative fuel-capable 2020 Chevrolet Impala would have a "K" or "M" in the eighth position. Finally, DOE notes that automobile manufacturers have been obligated since Sept. 1, 2006, to attach a label to the fuel compartment of their dual-fueled automobiles.

In the case of PHEVs, DOE notes that unless the vehicle has a liquid or gaseous alternative fuel–capable engine, it must be able to complete the EPA urban and highway test cycles on electricity alone in order to qualify as an AFV. To find out if a particular PHEV is a dual-fueled vehicle and thus also an AFV, DOE encourages covered fleets to review the EPA/U.S. Department of Transportation fuel economy and environment label (also known as the fuel economy window sticker or the Monroney label) that is posted on all new light-duty vehicles. If the label says, "This is a dual-fueled automobile," the PHEV is a dual-fueled vehicle and thus an AFV under the Program. DOE's Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search tool can also be used to find and verify AFVs.

No. EPAct requires covered state fleets to acquire 75% of their LDV acquisitions as AFVs, but it does not require them to use alternative fuel in those AFVs.

Yes. Unlike state fleets, covered alternative fuel provider fleets are required to use only alternative fuel in their AFVs, except when the vehicles are operating in areas where the appropriate alternative fuel is not available (see 10 C.F.R. section 490.306). Alternative fuel providers should keep records of their alternative fuel use for at least three years.

DOE does not make any quantitative or qualitative determinations regarding an alternative fuel provider fleet's alternative fuel use. As indicated above, covered alternative fuel provider fleets are required to use only alternative fuel in their AFVs, except when those vehicles are operating in areas where the appropriate alternative fuel is not available.

Instructions for reporting Standard Compliance are available on this website. For help with annual reporting, contact us.

Yes. For Standard Compliance, DOE strongly encourages online reporting through the annual reporting tool, but a fleet that prefers to use a spreadsheet may make use of the Standard Compliance Reporting Spreadsheet. The spreadsheet should be emailed to epact.sfp.fleets@nrel.gov. This spreadsheet is updated annually, so please use the version posted on the website.

Fleets under Alternative Compliance may make use of the sample annual report.

You need a username and password to submit or review your data online. If you have already registered online as a fleet POC, you can log in to the annual reporting tool with your existing username and password. If you have not yet registered your fleet, you can request new fleet access.

The deadline for filing an annual report, whether under Standard Compliance or Alternative Compliance, is Dec. 31 following the relevant model year (e.g., Dec. 31, 2021, for the model year 2021 report).

All fleet reports are reviewed for accuracy as they are received. Usually, within three working days of receipt, the fleet receives an email confirming that DOE received the fleet's report and asking for any missing information. If you do not receive an acknowledgment, contact us to ask about your fleet's report status.

Yes. You may submit and amend an annual Standard Compliance report online at any time during the reporting year for that report (e.g., from Sept. 1, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2015, for model year 2015). If you discover the correction after the reporting year for that annual report has ended, or if you do not use the website to submit your annual reports, contact us with the required vehicle information.

If you entered a vehicle in error on your report, contact us and provide the information for the vehicle(s) that must be deleted.

"Acquisition date" means the date the vehicle is taken into possession or control, such as through purchase or lease.

No. If you acquired the vehicle as an AFV, it was either an original equipment manufacturer vehicle, or it had been converted by a previous owner. If the vehicle was converted to an AFV after your fleet acquired it, however, your fleet must report the conversion date. The conversion date is important because AFV-acquisition treatment for a converted vehicle is only warranted if the conversion occurs within the first four months following acquisition of the vehicle. For example, if you acquired the vehicle as a gasoline vehicle on Jan. 1, 2015, and converted it to a natural gas-capable vehicle, such conversion would have to have taken place no later than May 1, 2015, for treatment as an AFV acquisition to be warranted. If a vehicle is converted to an AFV beyond the four-month conversion period, it is ineligible for treatment as an AFV acquisition.

Only information for AFVs and other acquired vehicles for which AFV credit is sought (i.e., non-AFV electric vehicles and medium-or heavy-duty HEVs and FCEVs that are not AFVs) must be reported in detail. All on-road certified vehicles have a vehicle identification number (VIN).

Failure to file an annual report, or late filing, may subject your entity to civil or criminal penalties. Your fleet can avoid being out of compliance by submitting an annual report in a timely and complete manner.

Every light-duty AFV acquisition beyond compliance earns 1 AFV credit. A fleet may meet up to 50% of its acquisition requirements through biodiesel fuel use credits. Biodiesel credits may only be applied to requirements for the model year in which they are earned; they may not be banked for future use. An acquisition of a medium- or heavy-duty AFV or medium- or heavy-duty electric vehicle that is not an AFV earns AFV credit after the fleet's light-duty AFV-acquisition requirements have been met.

Your fleet may obtain AFV credits through transfer or purchase from another entity. Learn more about trading credits.

If reporting online, enter the number of applied AFV credits required to maintain compliance. If reporting via spreadsheet, enter the number of applied credits under the "Model Year Data" section next to "Applied Credits." Note, though, that if you intend to submit an exemption request, you should refrain from applying banked AFV credits until after DOE has made a determination on the exemption request. In other words, do not apply banked credits as part of your annual report. Instead, submit your exemption request after filing your annual report, but before you apply any banked AFV credits. This is because DOE does not grant exemptions—even if the fleet qualifies for them—once the fleet has achieved compliance for the model year. After DOE issues its exemption determination, the fleet will be able to apply banked AFV credits, if necessary, to bring itself into compliance.

The annual reporting tool calculates banked AFV credits for you. If you choose not to use this simple tool, subtract from your fleet's AFV-acquisition requirements the sum total of the light-duty AFVs acquired and the number of AFV, biodiesel fuel use, and investment credits earned by the fleet during the model year (e.g., through the acquisition of non-AFV electric vehicles). The result is the AFV-acquisition shortfall and thus how many banked AFV credits should be applied to ensure compliance.

Under Standard Compliance, your fleet may receive 1 AFV credit for each medium- or heavy-duty AFV, and ½ credit for each medium- or heavy-duty HEV or FCEV that is not an AFV, that it acquires in a given model year, but only after your fleet meets its applicable light-duty AFV-acquisition requirements. The medium- or heavy-duty vehicles must be listed as acquisitions on your fleet's annual report (see 10 C.F.R. section 490.508).

Your fleet may acquire or sell AFV credits through credit transfers with other covered fleets. Learn more about trading credits, where you can see a list of fleets with excess credits, exchange information with other fleets via a bulletin board, and download the credit transfer form. DOE does not collect information on the cost of credit transfers between fleets and does not know the cost to acquire AFV credits.

If there is a merger or acquisition of two entities, all existing credits can be transferred to the new entity. Please inform DOE by contacting us. Make sure to identify the two covered fleets and the name of the new entity. Once an account under the new name has been established, any banked credits belonging to the prior fleets will be transferred to the new entity.

See the list of excluded vehicles

No. However, as indicated in the answer above, such excluded vehicles will help satisfy your fleet's requirements and may earn AFV credits. Note that a fleet should never include non-road vehicles in its LDV count.

If your fleet cannot find AFVs or alternative fuels suitable for the fleet's normal business practices, you may file for exemptions from the AFV-acquisition requirements of Standard Compliance. State agencies also may file for exemptions based on unreasonable financial hardship; see 10 C.F.R. section 490.204(a)(3). Guidance on filing an exemption request and a sample exemption request are provided on this website. DOE notes in particular that rather than acquire AFVs in a larger vehicle class than the fleet needs (for example, buying AFVs in the large car class because none were available in the compact vehicle class that suits the fleet's normal business practices), the fleet should consider seeking exemptions on the basis of lack of available AFVs. After DOE receives complete documentation justifying your fleet's request, it has 45 days to determine whether your fleet qualifies for exemptions. With proper proof, DOE may grant all or some of the requested exemptions. Note, however, that when a fleet's annual report shows the fleet did not meet its AFV-acquisition requirements for the model year, DOE will apply banked AFV credits (if any) held by the fleet to offset the shortfall at the written request of the fleet. Such a request can help to eliminate the fleet's need for exemptions or reduce the number of exemptions needed.

A covered fleet may submit its exemption request no sooner than September 1 following the model year for which the exemption is sought, and no later than January 31 following that model year. Thus, there is a five-month window for a covered fleet to seek an exemption under Standard Compliance. Fleets should keep in mind, too, that they must file their annual report prior to submitting an exemption request. Note, though, that if you intend to submit an exemption request, you should refrain from applying banked AFV credits until after DOE has made a determination on the exemption request. In other words, do not apply banked credits as part of your annual report. Instead, submit your exemption request after filing your annual report, but before you apply any banked AFV credits. This is because DOE does not grant any exemptions—even if the fleet qualifies for them—once the fleet has achieved compliance for the model year. After DOE issues its exemption determination, the fleet will be able to apply banked AFV credits, if necessary, to bring itself into compliance.

DOE strongly encourages fleets pursuing exemptions to request an exemption online. This tool saves fleets time and helps DOE deliver decisions sooner. The tool loads information automatically from annual report records and creates electronic exemption requests that fleets submit to DOE online.

Although DOE strongly encourages fleets pursuing exemptions to request an exemption online, you may submit a spreadsheet by email at epact.sfp.fleets@nrel.gov.

Requests for exemptions do not carry over year to year; they must be filed annually. Learn more about exemptions in the Exemption Request Guidance.

Yes. If an exemption request is denied, your fleet may file an appeal with DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) within 30 days of the date of the written determination denying the exemptions. See 10 C.F.R. section 490.204(h) (state fleets) and section 490.308(g) (alternative fuel provider fleets). Note that the appeal must be filed with OHA, not the Program's Regulatory Manager/EERE, and that it must be filed in accordance with OHA's own regulations set forth in 10 C.F.R. Part 1003, Subpart C.

Alternative Compliance, which is one of two methods through which covered fleets can achieve Program compliance, enables fleets to obtain a waiver from the AFV-acquisition requirements associated with Standard Compliance under 10 C.F.R. Part 490, Subparts C and D. Fleets opting into Alternative Compliance (10 C.F.R. Part 490, Subpart I) implement measures that reduce petroleum fuel use in lieu of meeting the AFV-acquisition requirements.

Although Alternative Compliance provides financial incentives and/or greenhouse gas emission reduction benefits to all participating fleets, it may be a particularly good option for fleets that can maximize biodiesel use. Alternative Compliance gives fleets the flexibility to pursue innovative approaches to reducing petroleum use in lieu of acquiring AFVs. These approaches include, but are not limited to, purchasing HEVs, increasing fleet fuel efficiency, increasing the use of alternative fuel blends, reducing vehicle miles traveled, and using alternative fuels in AFVs.

In order to participate in Alternative Compliance, a covered fleet must undertake three steps:

1. A fleet must use a simple online process to notify DOE of its intent to apply for a waiver from Standard Compliance. This notice must be submitted by March 31 before the model year for which the waiver is sought. For example, a fleet applying for Alternative Compliance for model year 2017 must file its notice of intent no later than March 31, 2016.
2. The fleet must submit a waiver application to DOE no later than July 31 before the model year for which the waiver is sought.
3. Fleets granted a waiver must submit an annual report to DOE by Dec. 31 after the model year for which the waiver was granted.

See additional information about the Alternative Compliance option.

DOE encourages and supports the use of the Petroleum Reduction Planning Tool, which helps fleets, consumers, and business owners create strategies to reduce conventional fuel use in fleet and personal vehicles. The Program website has additional information about the Alternative Compliance option.

To file your annual report, log in to the annual reporting tool with your existing username and password. If you have not yet registered your fleet, you can request new fleet access.

To change the point of contact for your fleet, contact us. To update your account information, log in to the annual reporting tool and choose "My Account" from the navigation menu on the left. To update your fleet contact information, choose "Manage Fleet Contact" from the "Fleet Management" section.

Reporting credentials are specific to each person. Please do not log in using the credentials of your fleet's previous POC. Instead, create your own account by accessing the Compliance Tool login page, then click "Request New Fleet Access." Fill out the form and click submit. You will receive an email confirming your submission. The database admin will approve your request and contact you to assign your fleet and get you started in the Program. This will also ensure that DOE sends you a welcome packet with helpful resources explaining the Program and your role in ensuring your fleet's compliance.

If you have forgotten your password, click on the "Forgot my password" link and follow the instructions. If you still need help with accessing the annual reporting tool, contact us.

Unless otherwise noted above, direct all correspondence to Mr. Mark Smith via the following methods:

• Email: regulatory.info@nrel.gov
• Mail: Mark Smith, Regulatory Manager, Alternative Fuel Transportation Program, Vehicle Technologies Office (EE-3V), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121
• Phone: 202‐586‐9171
• Fax: 202-586-1610.