CHAPTER 973
An Act to direct the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy to convene a working group to determine the feasibility of an electric vehicle rebate program.
[H 717]
Approved April 9, 2020
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. That the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy shall, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Taxation, and the Department of Motor Vehicles, convene a working group to determine the feasibility of an electric vehicle rebate program. Other relevant stakeholders, including (i) automobile manufacturers, (ii) motor vehicle dealers, (iii) electric vehicle charging network representatives, (iv) electric vehicle manufacturers, (v) environmental organizations, and (vi) energy utility organizations, shall be invited to participate in such working group. Such working group shall (a) review potential methods of structuring and administering an electric vehicle rebate program, (b) review funding opportunities available to facilitate such a rebate, (c) evaluate the vehicle sales data in states in which an electric vehicle rebate program has been implemented before and after such implementation, and (d) determine the ideal metrics for an electric vehicle rebate program. Any recommendations issued by such working group shall be guided by the following parameters: (1) no program shall authorize rebates of more than $4,500 for individual consumer purchases of qualified zero-emission vehicles; (2) the program may include incentives for individuals with an income below 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; (3) the program shall allow both online and paper applications; and (4) the program, if properly funded, will be operational no later than December 30, 2021. The working group shall issue a report on the work completed by the working group and the recommendations of the working group to the General Assembly by November 1, 2020.