EPAct AFVs
The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) defines alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) to include any dedicated, flexible-fuel, or dual-fuel vehicle designed to operate on at least one alternative fuel. AFVs are available in a variety of vehicle types ranging from light- to heavy-duty.
Under EPAct, hybrid, neighborhood-electric, and low-speed vehicles do not count as AFVs and are ineligible for EPAct credit because:
- Hybrids are powered primarily by conventional gasoline
- Neighborhood-electric and low-speed vehicles reach up to only 25 miles per hour — speeds that are too low to be considered "eligible vehicles" under EPAct
Because they are energy efficient, however, the U.S. Department of Energy encourages the voluntary use of these vehicles. For more information on AFVs, see the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center's Vehicles section.