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Special Incentives for Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Oklahoma is one of the nation’s leaders in progressive Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) legislation. The state provides tax credits and low-interest loans for government entities, private companies and individuals to convert fleet vehicles to alternative fuels, to purchase new AFVs, and to install AFV fueling infrastructure.

State tax credits

Oklahoma’s main AFV incentive is a state income tax credit (direct subtraction from tax liability) of 50 percent of the alternative fuel conversion cost or new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) incremental cost. A tax credit of 10 percent of the total value of the vehicle up to $1,500 is allowed on AFV resales if a tax credit has not been previously taken.

A 50-percent tax credit is allowed on the cost of AFV fueling equipment including compression equipment and storage tanks.

Zero-interest loan fund

The state of Oklahoma administers a 0-percent interest alternative fuel loan fund for public fleets.

State and local governmental entities and public trusts are eligible for the loans which may be used to fund vehicle conversions, offset the cost of new AFVs (including forklifts) or offset the cost of installing AFV fueling facilities. Loans are repaid based on annual fuel cost savings realized through the use of the alternative fuel.

Low-interest loan fund

Oklahoma administers a 3-percent interest alternative fuel loan fund for private fleets. The fund is available for vehicle conversions, for OEM altfuel vehicles, and for the installation of AFV fueling infrastructure.

The loans are repaid based on annual fuel cost savings realized through the use of the alternative fuel.

Flat fee AFV tax decals

Compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas and methanol (M-85) are taxed at a flat rate of $100 per year, per vehicle of less than 1-ton capacity. Consumers pay this tax by purchasing a flat fee decal rather than paying excise tax at the pump. Propane or LPG is taxed at a rate of $50 per year, per vehicle of less than 1-ton capacity. AFVs exceeding 1-ton capacity are taxed at $150 per year.

Federal incentives

The main federal incentives for the purchase or conversion of individual AFVs are the federal income tax deductions of $2,000 - $50,000 for clean fuel vehicles, and an income tax credit of up to $4,000 for electric vehicles (EVs).

An income tax deduction of $100,000/site is also available for the installation of refueling or recharging facilities for AFVs.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 provides an Electric Vehicle Tax Credit of up to $4,000, or 10 percent of the purchase price of an EV, whichever is less.

Also, Clean Fuel Vehicle Tax Deductions for the purchase of new OEM altfuel vehicles, or for vehicle conversions are available to all fleets.

The amount of the tax deduction for an AFV is based on the gross vehicle weight (gvw) and types of vehicles as follows:

Federal tax deductions

The tax deduction for AFVs is available for business or personal vehicles, except EVs eligible for the federal EV tax credit.

Incentive time limits

The dollar amount for the Clean Fuel Vehicle tax deductions and credits were scheduled to be phased out by December 31, 2004, but have been extended by the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 so that full deduction and credit are now allowed for qualified property placed in service in 2004 and 2005. The deduction will be 25% of the otherwise allowable amount in 2006 and phased out in 2007. For more information about alternative fuel tax provisions, please contact the IRS Office of Associate Chief Counsel, Passthroughs, and Special Industries at 800-876-1715. A pdf version of Publication 535, "Business Expenses", is available at the IRS web site.