U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Office – EPAct Transportation Regulatory Activities
Frequently Asked Questions for State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleets
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Alternative Fuel Transportation Program (the Program) implements provisions of Titles III–V of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct). These provisions are designed to reduce U.S. dependence on imported petroleum by accelerating the introduction of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) in state government and alternative fuel provider fleets.
Following are answers to questions frequently asked about the Program by managers of these fleets. These questions and answers are also available in the Frequently Asked Questions Fact Sheet.
Learning About EPAct
Determining EPAct Applicability
Implementing Standard Compliance
Filing Annual Reports
Acquiring and Applying Credits
Accounting for Excluded Vehicles
Requesting Exemptions
Choosing Alternative Compliance
Addressing Administrative Issues and Contacting the Program
Learning About EPAct
Q. What is EPAct?
A. Congress passed EPAct in 1992 to reduce U.S. dependence on imported petroleum. Provisions of EPAct, as amended, require certain fleets to purchase AFVs or reduce petroleum fuel consumption. DOE administers the provisions through its State and Alternative Fuel Provider and Federal Fleet programs. EPAct also includes provisions that establish voluntary programs, such as DOE's Clean Cities Program, that accelerate the use of alternative fuels in transportation. For more information, visit the EPAct Transportation Regulatory Activities, Federal Fleet, and Clean Cities websites, or contact the Regulatory Information Line.
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Q. Where can I find resources to help me understand EPAct requirements?
A. The best place to begin is the EPAct Transportation Regulatory Activities website. The site contains a host of helpful resources, including:
- Background information on the Program and its two compliance methods: Standard Compliance and Alternative Compliance
- Links to Program regulations (10 C.F.R. Part 490), statutory provisions, and rulemakings
- A detailed guidebook on Standard Compliance (A Guidebook to the U.S. DOE's Alternative Fuel Transportation Program for State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleets)
- Exemption request guidance materials
- Biodiesel credits information
- Guidance documents and other materials about Alternative Compliance
- Links to the online reporting database and credits bulletin board
- Links to other tools for covered fleets, including the Alternative Fueling Station Locator, the Petroleum Reduction Planning Tool, and tools specific to Alternative Compliance.
The Program's Regulatory Information Line is also available for Program-related inquiries.
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Q. Which fuels are defined as "alternative fuels" under EPAct?
A. The following fuels qualify as "alternative fuels" under EPAct:
- Neat (100%) methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols
- Mixtures containing 85% or more by volume methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols with gasoline or other fuels
- Natural gas (compressed or liquefied)
- Liquefied petroleum gas (propane)
- Hydrogen
- Coal-derived liquid fuels
- Electricity (including electricity from solar energy)
- Fuels (other than alcohol) derived from biological materials (including neat biodiesel).
In addition, DOE issued a final rule in 1999 that added three blends of the "P-series fuel" to the definition of "alternative fuel." DOE also promulgated a final rule in 2001 on the allocation of credit to covered fleets that purchase and use biodiesel in blends of B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel) or higher.
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Q. What constitutes an AFV under EPAct, and what is the difference between a "dual-fuel" and "flexible-fuel" vehicle?
A. An AFV is any dedicated, dual-fuel, or flexible-fuel vehicle designed to operate on at least one alternative fuel. A dedicated AFV is designed to operate only on an alternative fuel(s). A dual-fuel (sometimes called bi-fuel) AFV is designed to operate on an alternative fuel or on a conventional fuel (gasoline or diesel). For example, a dual-fuel 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. In contrast, a flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV)—which can operate on gasoline, E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), or a mixture of both—stores E85 and gasoline mixed together in a single fuel tank.
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Q. Are hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) considered AFVs under EPAct?
A. The HEVs currently on the market (e.g., Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Ford Escape Hybrid) do not qualify as AFVs because they are neither primarily powered by an electric motor nor equipped with an engine capable of operating on an alternative fuel. Consequently, the acquisition of such vehicles does not currently entitle covered fleets to AFV credit under Subpart F of the Program regulations. However, in Section 133 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Congress directed DOE to allocate credit, in an amount to be determined by DOE, for acquisition of various electric-drive vehicles, including HEVs. DOE's rulemaking to determine the credit allocation amount is underway.
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Q. What are the penalties for noncompliance with EPAct?
A. 10 C.F.R. Section 490.604 of the Program regulations identifies the applicable penalties:
- A civil fine of up to $8,000 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.
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Determining EPAct Applicability
Q. We think our fleet is not, or is no longer, covered by the requirements of 10 C.F.R. Part 490 for state government and alternative fuel provider fleets. How can I confirm this with DOE?
A. 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.
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Q. How do I determine if my company is an "alternative fuel provider?"
A. 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.
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Q. Is a state university or college fleet covered under EPAct section 507(o)?
A. 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.
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Implementing Standard Compliance
Q. What is Standard Compliance?
A. Under EPAct Standard Compliance, covered fleets must acquire a certain percentage of AFVs each year based on the number of LDVs they acquire: 75% of new covered LDV acquisitions for state fleets and 90% for alternative fuel provider fleets. In addition, covered alternative fuel provider fleets must use alternative fuels in their AFVs, unless the AFVs operate in an area where the fuel is not available. Fleets also may meet up to 50% of the AFV-acquisition requirements through the purchase and use of biodiesel in blends of 20% or higher.
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Q. What are the dates of a model year?
A. A model year runs from September 1 of one year through August 31 of the following year. For example, model year 2010 begins September 1, 2009, and ends August 31, 2010.
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Q. How do I determine my fleet's LDV count for purposes of determining the fleet's AFV-acquisition requirement for a given model year?
A. As an example:
- Start with the number of LDVs new to your fleet that will be acquired for a given model year.
- Subtract any excluded vehicles.
- Multiply the result by 75% (state fleets) or 90% (alternative fuel provider fleets) for that model year to get the number of vehicles that must be AFVs.
- Long-term rentals or leases of vehicles 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.
- Donated vehicles the fleet receives constitute LDV acquisitions during the model year in which they are received and so must be included in covered fleet LDV-acquisition calculations.
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Q. When I provide my total LDV count, should I include AFVs in that figure?
A. Yes, your fleet should include light-duty AFVs in the LDV count but not those on the list of excluded vehicles, such as medium- or heavy-duty vehicles of any kind.
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Q. Does an alternative fuel provider receive credit under Standard Compliance for acquiring an E85 FFV when the vehicle will be located or operated in an area where E85 is unavailable?
A. Yes, an alternative fuel provider receives credit for acquiring an FFV, even if the FFV will be located or operated in an area in which E85 is not available. DOE believes that acquisition credit for the FFV 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 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.
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Q. Does acquiring a neighborhood electric vehicle generate an AFV-acquisition credit that may be applied toward my fleet's Standard Compliance requirements?
A. No, commercially available neighborhood electric vehicles are ineligible for AFV-acquisition credits under Standard Compliance. They may, however, be used as part of an Alternative Compliance strategy (established under EPAct 2005). See Commercially Available Hybrid Electric and Low-Speed Vehicles Not Eligible for EPAct Credit Under Standard Compliance. However, in Section 133 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Congress directed DOE to allocate credit, in an amount to be determined by DOE, for acquisition of various electric-drive vehicles, including neighborhood electric vehicles. DOE's rulemaking to determine the credit allocation amount is underway.
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Q. How does a covered fleet receive credit for using biodiesel?
A. The 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 of more than 8,500 pounds GVWR may receive credit for the neat (100%) biodiesel portion of the blends. A fleet may receive one credit for each 450 gallons of 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. Each allocation of a biodiesel fuel use credit requires that 450 gallons of biodiesel be purchased for use. Fleets may earn biodiesel credits 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 requirement through biodiesel fuel use credits. When DOE determines if a fleet is in compliance with AFV-acquisition requirements, biodiesel fuel use credits are counted first, up to their allowable limit, and then AFV-acquisition credits are counted. If this results in excess credits, the excess AFV-acquisition credits may be banked for use in future years. Thus, although biodiesel 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-acquisition credits.
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Q. In determining annual AFV-acquisition requirements, are covered fleets required to count vehicles acquired outside an MSA or CMSA?
A. Any LDV that a covered alternative fuel provider fleet acquires is counted in determining annual AFV-acquisition requirements, regardless of whether the LDV is acquired inside or outside an MSA or CMSA. Covered state fleets, however, need only count LDV acquisitions located or operating within an MSA or CMSA.
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Q. What happens if my fleet ordered AFVs early in the model year but, through no fault of the fleet, did not receive the vehicles before the model year ended?
A. 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., 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 count and in satisfaction of its AFV-acquisition requirement 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. For assistance with such an instance, please contact the Regulatory Information Line.
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Q. How do I determine "fuel type" and "engine configuration" for my fleet vehicles?
A. In the annual reporting process, fleets must specify a vehicle's fuel type and engine configuration. To determine fuel type and engine configuration, check the title or receipt from the dealer. For example, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) can be either dual-fuel (can use gasoline or an alternative fuel) or dedicated fuel (can only use an alternative fuel) and thus would be classified as "dual/ded." Ethanol (E85) vehicles are flexible-fuel, because the same gas tank can hold a mix of gasoline or E85, and thus are classified as "flexible." Electric vehicles are dedicated and thus classified as "ded."
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Q. How can I confirm that a fleet vehicle can be fueled with alternative fuel or that it is an AFV?
A. 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 2009 Ford Crown Victoria, 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 2009 Chevrolet Impala would have a "K" or "M" in the eighth position. If you are still unsure, check with the manufacturer.
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Q. Are state agencies required to use alternative fuel in their AFVs?
A. No. EPAct requires covered state fleets to acquire AFVs but does not require them to use alternative fuel in those AFVs.
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Q. Are alternative fuel providers required to use alternative fuel in their AFVs?
A. Yes. Unlike state fleets, 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 are urged to keep records of their fuel use for at least three years.
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Filing Annual Reports
Q. How can I file an annual Standard Compliance report with DOE?
A. Detailed instructions on how to submit Standard Compliance annual reports are available on this website. If you still have questions and require assistance, email epact.sfp.fleets@nrel.gov. The Program requests that annual reports be filed in either of the following ways:
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Q. What information do I need to submit data or review my fleet's annual report data on the website?
A. You need a user name and password to submit or review your data on the Program website. If you have already registered online as a fleet point of contact (POC), you already have a user name and password. If you have not yet registered your fleet, you may obtain a user name and password by registering as a fleet POC. Select the appropriate option: "Register a New Fleet" under the "New Fleets" heading or "Log In" under the "Registered Fleets" heading. If you have lost or forgotten your user name or password, email epact.sfp.fleets@nrel.gov.
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Q. By what date must my fleet's annual report be filed?
A. 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, 2010, for the model year 2010 report). (For example, a report for model year 2010, which begins September 1, 2009, will be due December 31, 2010.)
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Q. How will I know DOE has received my fleet's annual report?
A. All fleet reports are reviewed for accuracy as they are received. Usually within three working days of receipt, the fleet receives an email or fax message confirming that DOE received the fleet's report and asking for any missing information. If you do not receive an acknowledgment, email epact.sfp.fleets@nrel.gov to learn your fleet's report status. Please direct reporting questions to this email address only.
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Q. I omitted or included an AFV in error when I submitted my last annual report. May I amend the report?
A. Yes. You may submit and amend an annual Standard Compliance report online any time during the reporting year for that report (e.g., from Sept. 1, 2008, to Dec. 31, 2009, for model year 2009). 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, email the required vehicle information to epact.sfp.fleets@nrel.gov.
If you entered a vehicle in error on your report, email epact.sfp.fleets@nrel.gov and provide the information for the vehicle(s) that must be deleted.
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Q. What does "acquisition date" mean?
A. "Acquisition date" means the date the vehicle is taken into possession or control, such as through purchase or lease.
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Q. If I report a vehicle that was acquired as an AFV, do I have to report its conversion date?
A. 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 when your fleet owned it, however, your fleet must report the conversion date. The conversion date is important because credit for a converted vehicle may only be obtained 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, 2009, and converted it to a natural gas–capable vehicle, such conversion would have had to take place no later than May 1, 2009, to obtain credit. If a vehicle is converted beyond the four-month conversion period, it is ineligible for credit.
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Q. Must I report the VIN and other information for all my fleet's LDVs or just for my AFVs?
A. Only AFV information must be reported in detail. All on-road certified vehicles have a VIN. If the vehicle does not have a VIN, it cannot be included in the Program.
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Q. What happens if my fleet fails to submit its annual report to DOE?
A. 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.
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Acquiring and Applying Credits
Q. How are credits calculated?
A. Every light-duty AFV acquisition earns one credit. A fleet may receive up to 50% of its credit requirement through the purchase of neat (100%) biodiesel, which is calculated before the light-duty AFVs are calculated. 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. A medium- or heavy-duty AFV acquisition earns one credit after the fleet's acquisition requirements have been met through the acquisition of light-duty AFVs, purchase and use of biodiesel, and/or application of credits (if applicable).
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Q. Our fleet did not acquire enough AFVs or credits during the past model year. How can I resolve this problem for my fleet under Standard Compliance?
A. Your fleet may obtain credits through transfer or purchase from another entity. Refer to the "Fleets with Excess Credits" link on the Buying and Selling Alternative Fuel Vehicle Credits Web page.
If the model year is not over, you also may purchase biodiesel in blends of B20 or higher for use in your fleet's medium- or heavy-duty vehicles. The number of biodiesel credits your fleet may earn toward compliance is limited to 50% of your fleet's AFV-acquisition requirements for a given model year.
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Q. How do I apply banked credits to my fleet's outstanding AFV-acquisition requirement?
A. If reporting online, enter the number of applied credits required to maintain compliance under the "Banked Credit Applied" link in the report section at the bottom of the page. Selecting the link will open the field information box, which provides a hint and description of what is required. If reporting via spreadsheet, enter the number of applied credits under the "Model Year Data" section next to "Applied Credits."
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Q. How do I determine the number of banked credits to apply to ensure compliance with the fleet's annual AFV-acquisition requirement?
A. First, calculate the AFV-acquisition requirement for a given model year by multiplying the total non-excluded LDV count by 75% (state fleets) or 90% (alternative fuel provider fleets). Then, subtract the total number of light-duty AFVs acquired and the number of credits earned from neat biodiesel purchased for use (one credit for each 450 gallons of neat biodiesel, limited to 50% of the number of AFV acquisitions required) from the AFV-acquisition requirement. The result is the number of credits below compliance and thus how many banked credits should be acquired and applied to ensure compliance.
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Q. How do credits for vehicles larger than 8,500 pounds GVWR work? How may they be applied?
A. Under Standard Compliance, your fleet may receive one credit for each medium- or heavy-duty AFV it acquires in a given model year but only after your fleet meets the applicable AFV-acquisition requirements for LDVs. You will report to DOE the medium- or heavy-duty AFVs as acquisitions on your fleet's annual Standard Compliance report (see 10 C.F.R. Section 490.502).
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Q. Where should I look if my fleet wants to buy or sell AFV-acquisition credits?
A. Your fleet may provide or obtain credits through credit transfers with other covered fleets. Refer to the Buying and Selling Alternative Fuel Vehicle Credits Web page. From this Web page, you can learn which fleets have excess credits to transfer, exchange information via a credit transfer bulletin board, and download the form necessary to complete a credit transfer. DOE does not collect information on the cost of a credit transfer between fleets and does not know the cost to acquire AFV-acquisition credits.
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Accounting for Excluded Vehicles
Q. What is an excluded vehicle?
A. The following vehicles need not be counted toward a fleet's annual LDV count and the associated determination of AFV-acquisition requirements because they are excluded; however, they do count toward satisfying AFV-acquisition requirements:
- Emergency vehicles, including vehicles directly used in the emergency repair of transmission lines and the restoration of electricity service following power outages
- Law-enforcement vehicles
- Non-road vehicles
- Vehicles parked at private residences when not in use
- Vehicles used for evaluating or testing products of a motor vehicle manufacturer, including those owned or held by a university for research purposes
- Vehicles owned or held by a testing laboratory or other evaluation facility that are used solely for evaluating the vehicles' performance
- Vehicles acquired and used for purposes that the U.S. Secretary of Defense certifies must be exempted for national security reasons
- Vehicles held for lease or rental to the general public
- Vehicles held for sale by motor vehicle dealers, including demonstration vehicles.
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Q. In determining annual AFV-acquisition requirements, are covered fleets required to count excluded vehicles that they are acquiring as AFVs in a given model year?
A. AFV models of excluded vehicles will help satisfy your fleet's requirements and earn credits unless they are non-road vehicles, which are not eligible to satisfy requirements under Standard Compliance. However, if your fleet acquires an AFV in any of the excluded vehicle categories—see the list above, from 10 C.F.R. Section 490.3—your fleet need not count the excluded vehicle in its LDV count for purposes of determining its AFV-acquisition requirement.
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Requesting Exemptions
Q. If I cannot obtain AFVs or alternative fuels in my area but my organization is covered under the Program, what can I do?
A. If your fleet cannot find AFVs or alternative fuels suitable for its 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. After DOE receives complete documentation justifying your fleet's request, it has 45 working days to decide whether your fleet qualifies for exemptions. With proper proof, DOE may grant all or some of the requested exemptions.
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Q. How do I file an exemption request for my fleet?
A. DOE strongly recommends that fleets pursuing exemptions develop an exemption request as shown in DOE's Sample Exemption Request under Standard Compliance. Following this format will help ensure all needed information is provided, enabling DOE to respond more quickly to the request. Requests for exemptions do not carry over year to year; they must be filed annually. Additional important information regarding exemption requests is available in Exemption Requests Under the EPAct State and Fuel Provider Fleet Program; 10 C.F.R. §§ 490.308 and 490.204.
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Q. If DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) denies my fleet's exemption request, does my fleet have other options?
A. 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 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.
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Q. When DOE grants exemptions, how are they applied to an organization's credit account?
A. Exemptions directly reduce a covered fleet's Standard Compliance requirements for acquiring AFVs or credits for the model year in which the exemptions are granted. Thus, if a covered fleet is required to acquire 10 AFVs or credits and applies for and receives five exemptions, the fleet still must acquire five AFVs or obtain five credits to achieve compliance.
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Choosing Alternative Compliance
Q. What is Alternative Compliance?
A. Alternative Compliance, which is one of two ways covered fleets can achieve Program compliance, enables fleets to obtain a waiver from the Standard Compliance AFV-acquisition requirements of 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 achieving the AFV-acquisition requirements.
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Q. What types of fleets are likely to be interested in choosing the Alternative Compliance option?
A. 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 in areas where suitable alternative fuels and/or AFVs are not readily available. It also is a good option for fleets that can maximize biodiesel use. Alternative Compliance gives fleets 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.
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Q. How do fleets participate in the Alternative Compliance option?
A. To participate in Alternative Compliance, a covered fleet must undertake three steps:
- 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 2011 must file its notice of intent no later than March 31, 2010.
- The fleet must submit a waiver application to DOE no later than July 31 before the model year for which the waiver is sought.
- 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.
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Q. Where can I find guidance about estimating different petroleum-reduction approaches?
A. The Alternative Compliance Planning Tool can help you determine your fleet's petroleum-reduction requirement and create a plan for meeting it. It is available along with an Alternative Compliance tutorial and other materials. In addition, DOE 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.
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Addressing Administrative Issues and Contacting the Program
Q. How do I change the POC or fleet information for my fleet?
A. Fleets may email the Program (regulatory.info@nrel.gov) with fleet and POC changes, or the fleet POC can log in to the database online and click the "Edit Fleet Info" or "Edit Fleet Manager Info" buttons to change the information.
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Q. How do I log on to the website to manage compliance requirements for my fleet?
A. Go to the State and Alternative Fuel Provider Standard Compliance: Submit an Annual Report Web page and select "Log in" under the heading "Registered Fleets."
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Q. I have misplaced my user name or password to access the database containing my fleet's compliance information. How can I retrieve that information?
A. Contact the Program (800-959-5780, regulatory.info@nrel.gov) for information needed to access the database.
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Q. Who is the DOE contact responsible for managing the Program and ensuring compliance?
A. Unless otherwise noted above, direct all correspondence to Mr. Dana O'Hara via the following methods:
- Email: regulatory.info@nrel.gov
- Mail: Dana O'Hara, Regulatory Manager, Alternative Fuel Transportation Program, EE-2G, 1000 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20585
- Phone: 202-586-9171
- Fax: 202-586-1610.
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