Bill Text: VA HB717 | 2020 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Electric vehicles; DMME to determine feasibility of a rebate program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-04-09 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0973) [HB717 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HB717-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 15 of Title 46.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of a section numbered 46.2-1583, as follows:
§46.2-1583. Electric Vehicle Rebate Program.
A. As used in this section:
"Federal poverty guidelines" means the poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia updated annually in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of §773(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981.
"Qualified vehicle" means a new or used zero-emissions vehicle with a manufacturer's suggested retail price for a new vehicle, or a Kelley Blue Book value for a used vehicle, that does not exceed $50,000.
"Zero-emissions vehicle" means a vehicle that emits no exhaust gas from the onboard source of power.
B. Any individual who buys or leases for a period of at least 24 months a qualified vehicle from a motor vehicle dealer in the Commonwealth and registers such vehicle in the Commonwealth shall be eligible for a rebate pursuant to this section. The motor vehicle dealer that sells or leases such vehicle shall submit to the Department any forms or information, in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner, certifying the sale or lease of a qualified vehicle and information regarding the purchaser or lessee within seven days of the sale or lease of such vehicle.
C. From such funds as may be appropriated, the Commissioner shall issue a rebate pursuant to the provisions of this section as follows:
1. For a qualified vehicle with a fuel cell battery, $3,000 for a new vehicle and $1,500 for a used vehicle;
2. For a qualified vehicle with an electric battery that obtains 200 miles or more per charge, $2,000 for a new vehicle and $1,000 for a used vehicle;
3. For a qualified vehicle with an electric battery that obtains at least 120 miles but less than 200 miles per charge, $1,500 for a new vehicle and $750 for a used vehicle;
4. For a qualified vehicle with an electric battery that obtains less than 120 miles per charge, $400 for a new vehicle and $200 for a used vehicle; and
5. For individuals whose household income does not exceed 300 percent of the current federal poverty guidelines, the rebates set forth in subdivisions 1 through 4 shall be increased by 50 percent. In order to qualify for an enhanced rebate, the individual shall provide documentation of household income to the Department upon request.
D. The amount of rebates issued in a fiscal year of the Commonwealth shall not exceed $1.5 million. Rebates shall be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. If requests for rebates exceed $1.5 million in a fiscal year, those rebates not issued shall roll to the next fiscal year.
E. A motor vehicle dealer shall be liable to a purchaser or lessee for twice the amount of a rebate for which a purchaser or lessee would be eligible under this section if such dealer fails to submit rebate information to the Department pursuant to subsection B.
F. The rebate set forth in this section shall only apply to the purchase of individual vehicles, and not to the purchase of multiple vehicles or fleet vehicles for business purposes.
F. The Department shall develop guidelines regarding the administration of this program. Such guidelines shall include a list of qualified vehicles and the amount of the rebate available for each such vehicle.
G. The Department shall report to the General Assembly by December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2021, regarding the program, including the number of rebates issued in the immediately preceding fiscal year.
2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2027.
