Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Acquisition and Emissions Reduction Requirements

Cars and light-duty trucks purchased by state agencies must meet the following requirements:

• Have an average U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated fuel economy of at least 40 miles per gallon;
• Comply with state fleet vehicle acquisition requirements set forth under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct); and
• Obtain the best achievable fuel economy per pound of carbon dioxide emitted for the applicable vehicle classes.

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) that the state purchases to comply with these requirements must be capable of operating on an EPAct-defined alternative fuel that is available in the state.

In addition, all cars and light-duty trucks that the state purchases or leases must be hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or capable of using alternative fuel. All AFVs purchased or leased must be certified to the California Air Resources Board’s (ARB) Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) standard, and all light-duty gasoline vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles the state purchases or leases must be certified, at a minimum, to the California ARB ULEV II standard.

Beginning January 1, 2026, cars and light-duty trucks purchased by state agencies must meet the following electric vehicle (EV) acquisition goals:

• 50% of vehicle acquisitions must be EVs by 2026;
• 75% of vehicle acquisitions must be EVs by 2028; and,
• 100% of vehicle acquisitions must be EVs by 2030.

Lower EV maintenance costs must be considered when Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) leases vehicles to other state agencies. The DAS must report annually on the composition of the state fleet, including the volume of alternative fuels used. Beginning January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, if procurement of light-duty cars and trucks purchased by the state does not meet the ZEV procurement requirements, DAS must submit an explanatory report to the General Assembly.

Vehicles that the Connecticut Department of Public Safety designates as necessary for the Department of Public Safety to carry out its mission are exempt from these provisions.

(Reference Connecticut General Statutes 4a-67d)