Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is providing incentives for alternative fuel trucks and buses and diesel emission controls. Incentives are released on a staggered schedule and include:

• Vouchers for public, private, and non-profit fleets for 80% of the incremental cost, up to $60,000, for the purchase or lease of all-electric Class 3 through 8 trucks operating 70% of the time and garaged in any nonattainment or maintenance area of New York State;
• Vouchers for private and non-profit fleets for 80% of the incremental cost, up to $40,000 for the purchase of compressed natural gas, hybrid electric and all-electric Class 3 through 8 trucks operating 70% of the time and garaged in New York City; and
• Vouchers for private and non-profit fleets that cover up to 80% of the cost of purchasing and installing emission reduction equipment for Class 3 through 8 diesel vehicles that are operated 70% of the time and garaged in New York City.

Port drayage trucks with Model Year (MY) 1993 and older engines are not authorized to access the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) marine terminals. Beginning January 1, 2017, only trucks equipped with engines that meet or exceed MY 2007 engine federal emissions standards will be allowed to access the terminals. Drayage trucks operating on liquefied or compressed natural gas, electricity, or hybrid electric technology are exempt from these requirements. For purposes of this rule, drayage trucks are defined as on-road vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 33,001 pounds or greater and intended to load, unload, or transport cargo from PANYNJ terminals. Additional rules apply. For more information, see the PANYNJ website.

The Regional Truck Replacement Program (Program) through the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey provides funding for up to 50% of the cost to replace a heavily emitting truck, up to $25,000. Eligible recipients include independent owner operators and licensed motor carriers servicing the port with drayage trucks equipped with Model Year 1994 to 2006 engines. Funding is limited to two replacement trucks per eligible applicant. Additional rules and conditions apply. For more information, see the Program website.

Any new light-duty passenger car, light-duty truck, or medium-duty passenger vehicle sold, leased, imported, delivered, purchased, or acquired in New York State must be certified to the California emissions standards set forth in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) must meet a fleet average greenhouse gas emissions standard, as defined in the California Code of Regulations, which will become more stringent for each model year through 2016. In addition, each OEM's fleet of passenger cars and light-duty trucks produced and delivered for sale in the state must meet at least the same percentage requirements for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) set forth in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 1962. (Reference New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regulations Chapter III, Part 218)