Expired, Repealed, and Archived Rhode Island Incentives and Laws
The following is a list of expired, repealed, and archived incentives, laws, regulations, funding opportunities, or other initiatives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, advanced technologies, or air quality.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Tax Exemption Authorization - Warren
Repealed: 07/01/2023
The town of Warren may allow excise tax exemptions of up to $100 for qualified AFVs registered in Warren. Qualified vehicles must be primarily fueled with one of the following: an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable batteries or fuel cells; gas produced from biomass, where biomass is defined as any organic material other than oil, natural gas, and coal; liquid, gaseous or solid synthetic fuels produced from coal; or coke or coke gas.
(Reference Senate Bill 705, 2023 and Rhode Island General Laws 44-34-14)
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Incentive Program
Archived: 03/10/2022
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) offers financial incentives through the Electrify RI Program for the installation of new EVSE at Rhode Island workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, government properties, and publicly accessible locations. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. This incentive program is funded by Rhode Island’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including program guidelines, grant amounts, and funding availability, see the OER Electrify Rhode Island website.
Climate Change Action Plan
Archived: 03/10/2022
The Rhode Island Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) and the State Chief Resiliency Officer published a statewide Action Plan to Stand Up to Climate Change (Plan) in July 2018. The Plan includes recommendations to make Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure more resilient to the impacts of climate change. For more information, see the EC4 and Resilient Rhody websites. (Reference Executive Order 17-10, 2017)
Regional Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)
Archived: 11/19/2021
Delaware, District of Columbia (D.C.), Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia signed a Declaration of Intent to create the TCI, a regional initiative to improve transportation, develop a clean energy economy, and reduce carbon emissions and air pollutants from the transportation sector. The signatory states and D.C. agree to explore and develop policies and programs that result in greater energy efficiency of regional transportation systems and reduce emissions. Additionally, states support the deployment of clean vehicles and fueling infrastructure, such as electric vehicle supply equipment, to maximize the economic opportunities and emissions reductions. For more information, see the TCI website.
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) and Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Rebates
Archived: 10/01/2019
The Charge Up! program provides rebates to state and municipal agencies for the purchase and installation of publicly accessible Level 2 or DC fast chargers. Agencies are eligible for up to $60,000 in incentives for EVSE that are installed and operational on or after July 1, 2016. Agencies that install EVSE also qualify for up to $15,000 to support the purchase or lease of a new PEV acquired on or after July 1, 2016, as part of their public sector fleet. For more information, see the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources Charge Up! website.
Alternative Transportation Fuel Study
Archived: 09/01/2017
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) will prepare a study on strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote alternative transportation fuels in Rhode Island, including any suggested regulatory changes. OER will submit the report to the governor and the senate. (Reference Senate Resolution 1020, 2015)
Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Regulatory Study
Archived: 05/01/2015
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources prepared a regulatory study to identify issues affecting PEVs in an effort to increase vehicle adoption and maintain and enhance electric system reliability. The study includes recommendations to address transmission and distribution infrastructure impacts, utility reporting requirements, rate design to encourage off-peak charging, vehicle-to-grid opportunities, PEV consumer education, third-party sales of electricity from charging infrastructure, and policy coordination with other New England states. For more information, see the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources House Resolution Report.
Biofuels Promotion
Archived: 01/01/2015
The Biofuels Study Commission (Commission) was established to study the feasibility and effectiveness of incentives that promote the development and use of advanced biofuels in the state, including production credits, feedstock incentives, and direct use consumer credits. The Commission will also explore the possibility of entering into an agreement with the states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to develop and implement a low carbon fuel standard for transportation fuels. The Commission must report results and recommendations to the General Assembly at least every two years beginning January 2012. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 31-36.2)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Loans
Expired: 04/10/2009
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources offers loans for up to five years, with low administrative fees, to state agencies and municipal governments to cover the incremental cost of purchasing original equipment manufactured AFVs.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Fueling Infrastructure Tax Credit
Expired: 01/01/2008
The Alternative Fueled Vehicle and Filling Station Tax Credit entitles taxpayers to a tax credit equal to 50% of the capital, labor, and equipment costs associated with the construction of, or improvement to, any alternative fuel fueling or recharging station providing domestically produced alternative fuel or facilities for recharging electric vehicles. For the purpose of this tax credit, alternative fuels are defined according to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-486) and include ethanol fuel and biodiesel produced from feedstocks including virgin vegetable oil, yellow grease, waste vegetable oil, and animal fats and tallows. Taxpayers are also entitled to a tax credit equal to 50% of the incremental cost of purchasing an AFV or the capital, labor, and equipment cost of converting a motor vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel. Taxpayers may carry forward any unused credits or any unused portion of the credit for up to five years. This incentive is effective until January 1, 2008. (Reference Rhode Island Code 44-39.2-2)
Alternative Fuel Tax Deduction
Expired: 12/31/2007
Corporations that sell alternative fuels are allowed a deduction from the gross earnings from sales reported in the corporations' tax returns. The deduction is equal to the total of gross earnings from the sale of alternative fuels when used as motor fuel to operate motor vehicles and when separately metered. This incentive is effective until December 31, 2007. (Reference Rhode Island Code 44-13-5)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Tax Credit
Expired: 12/31/2007
A taxpayer entitled to a federal qualified EV tax credit is also entitled to a state tax credit equal to 25% of the federal qualified EV tax credit. (Reference Rhode Island Code 44-30-2.6)
Grant for Senior Citizen Vans
Expired: 12/31/2003
The state is administering a $100,000 grant program for the incremental cost of purchasing an alternative fuel Senior Citizen Para-Transit van. A limited amount of funds remain in this program, and the program is set to expire December 31, 2003.