Colorado EV incentives and laws
State incentives, charger programs and rules for electric vehicles, summarised from the U.S. Department of Energy with a link to the full text.
Advanced Industries (AI) Accelerator Program Grants
GrantsAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorAlternative Fuel ProducerAlternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Manufacturer / RetrofitterOther
The Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) provides grants through the AI Accelerator Programs to promote growth and sustainability in Colorado's AIs. Grants may be available for advanced industries such as vehicle and component manufacturing and biofuels. Four types of grants are available, including Proof of Concept, Early-Stage Capital and Retention, Collaborative Infrastructure, and AI Exports, as well as global consulting services. For more information on each grant program, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, see the OEDIT [AI Accelerator P…
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Weight Exemption
ExemptionsCommercialGovernment EntityPersonal Vehicle Owner / Driver
Gross vehicle weight rating limits for AFVs are 2,000 pounds greater than those for comparable conventional vehicles, as long as the AFVs operate using an alternative fuel or both alternative and conventional fuel, when operating on a highway that is not part of the interstate system. For the purpose of this exemption, alternative fuel is defined as compressed natural gas, propane, ethanol, or any mixture containing 85% or more ethanol (E85) with gasoline or other fuels, electricity, or any other fuels, which may include clean diesel and reformulated gasoline, so long as the Colorado Air Quali…
Colorado's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning
GrantsGovernment Entity
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) [NEVI Formula Program](https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/12744) required the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to submit an annually updated EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) for fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to their FHWA Division Office, describing how the state intended to distribute NEVI funds and their physical and cybersecurity strategies, and including a Community Engagement Outcomes Report. The submitted plans must address updated [NEVI Guidance](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/nevi/). For more information about Colorado'…
Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant
GrantsCommercialGovernment Entity
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) administers the Colorado Clean Diesel Program (CCDP), which provides funding to private and public entities to replace diesel vehicles and equipment with all-electric or hybrid-electric equivalents. Eligible projects include terminal tractors, construction equipment, bucket trucks, transportation refrigeration units, airport ground support equipment, lawn mowers, farm tractors, bucket trucks, snow groomers, idle-reduction technologies, and associated charging infrastructure. A minimum cost share is required and varies by project …
Direct Current (DC) Fast Charging Plazas Grants
GrantsAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorCommercial
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) offers grants for DC fast chargers through the Colorado Electric Vehicle (EV) DC Fast Charging Plazas Program. Priority locations are near downtown areas, high-density housing, commercial developments, transit hubs, transportation network company dense areas, and underserved communities. Eligible applicants may receive grants up to 80% of project costs at each proposed location. Awardees must provide five years of continuous use. For additional information, including requirements and funding availability, see the CEO [EV DC Fast Charging Plazas Program](https:/…
Electric School Bus Grant
GrantsGovernment EntityTribal Government
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will administer the Electrifying School Buses Grant Program (Program), which provides funds to schools for the purchase of electric school buses and associated charging infrastructure. Eligible projects include the purchase and maintenance of electric school buses; the conversion of fossil-fuel powered school buses to electric buses; the purchase and installation of charging infrastructure; and electrical upgrades to support associated charging infrastructure. Eligible applicants include public school districts, charter schools, …
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Grants
GrantsAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorCommercialGovernment EntityPersonal Vehicle Owner / DriverTransit
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) provides grants through the Charge Ahead Colorado program to support EV and EV charger adoption by individual drivers and fleets. Grants will fund 80% of the cost of EV charger, up to the following amounts: ::: {data-align="center"} EV Charger Type Power Output Rating Maximum Incentive per Port ---------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- Level 2 6 kilowatts (kW) or higher \$7,000 Direct Current (DC) Fast Charger Less than 50 kW \$7,000 DC Fast Charger 50 to 99 kW \$30,000 DC Fast Charger More than 99 kW \$40,000 …
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Property Tax Exemption
ExemptionsTax IncentivesAlternative Fuel Infrastructure Operator
EV charger owners are exempt from paying Colorado state property tax on stations until January 1, 2030. (Reference [Colorado Revised Statutes 39-3-138](https://leg.colorado.gov/laws))
Electric Vehicle (EV) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Tax Credit
Tax IncentivesCommercialPersonal Vehicle Owner / Driver
Qualified EVs and FCEVs titled and registered in Colorado are eligible for a tax credit. Light-duty EVs and FCEVs purchased or leased before January 1, 2029, are eligible for a tax credit equal to the amounts below, per calendar year: ::: {data-align="center"} Vehicle Type 2025 2026 2027 2028 -------------------------------------------------- ---------- --------- ------------------ ------------------ Light-duty EV or FCEV \$3,500 \$750 To be determined To be determined Light-duty electric or hydrogen fuel cell truck \$3,500 \$750 To be determined To be determined Medium-duty electric or hydrog…
Electric Vehicle (EV) and Infrastructure Coaching Service
OtherAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorCommercialGovernment EntityOther
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) administers the ReCharge Colorado program (ReCharge) to advance the adoption of EVs and installation of charging infrastructure in Colorado. ReCharge provides coaching services to consumers, local governments, workplaces, and multi-family housing to help them identify monetary savings, grant opportunities, and other EV benefits. ReCharge also helps build local stakeholder support for EVs. For more information, see the CEO [ReCharge Colorado](https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/transportation/ev-education-resources/recharge-colorado) website.
Electric Vehicle Emissions Inspection Exemption
ExemptionsCommercialGovernment EntityPersonal Vehicle Owner / Driver
Vehicles powered exclusively by electricity are exempt from state motor vehicle emissions inspections. For more information, see the [Air Care Colorado](http://aircarecolorado.com/) and the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles [Emissions](https://dmv.colorado.gov/emissions) websites. (Reference [Code of Colorado Regulations 204-11](http://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/Welcome.do))
Fleet Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Technology Grants
GrantsCommercialGovernment Entity
The Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program, administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) through the [Clean Fleet Enterprise](https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/13015), offers grants to business and government fleets for the purchase of new AFVs or the conversion of existing fleet vehicles to operate on alternative fuels. Eligible projects include light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, and eligible alternative fuels include electricity, hydrogen, and compressed natural gas. Incentive amounts vary based on vehicle technology and gross vehicle weight ra…
Fleet Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Grants
GrantsAlternative Fuel Infrastructure OperatorCommercialOther
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) Fleet Zero-Emission Resource Opportunity (Fleet-ZERO) grant program offers competitive grants to fleets for the purchase and installation of EV charging infrastructure. Eligible applicants include light-, medium-, and heavy-duty fleets; independent owner-operators; charging providers; and property owners, developers, nonprofit organizations, schools, government entities, and tribal governments. Maximum grant awards may vary by applicant type. For more information, including additional program requirements, see the Energy Office [Fleet-ZERO](https://energyoffice…
Industrial and Manufacturing Operations Clean Air Grant Program
GrantsCommercialGovernment EntityTribal Government
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) will administer the Industrial and Manufacturing Operations Clean Air Grant Program (Program), which funds projects that reduce emissions from industrial and manufacturing operations, including transportation electrification and hydrogen projects. Eligible applicants include private entities, local and tribal governments, and public-private partnerships. Projects located in underserved communities or [areas in nonattainment](https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/greenbook/ancl.html) with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards may receive priority consideration. A…