Alternative fueled vehicles are vehicles that use forms of energy other than conventional gasoline and diesel fuel. A detailed definition is found in Arizona Revised Statutes § 1-215.4 .

All alternative fuel vehicles (except electric, solar and hydrogen powered) registered in or used to commute into metro Phoenix (Area A) or metro Tucson (Area B) are required to be emissions tested before the vehicle can be registered. Legislation effective Sept. 18, 2003 (S.B. 1177 ), currently exempts Model Year 2006 and newer Original Equipment (OEM) Alternative Fueled Vehicles by payment of an in-lieu fee. If you are the owner of an OEM alternative fueled vehicle, you will likely receive a registration renewal indicating the in-lieu fee. If not, you must submit to ADEQ either the original documentation showing your vehicle is an OEM alternative fueled vehicle or bring the vehicle to ADEQ for inspection. Once verified, ADEQ will see to it that your OEM alternative fueled vehicle is identified in the MVD database.

New alternative fuel vehicles being registered for the first time (with a manufacturer's statement of origin) are not required to be tested, but emissions testing will be required before registration in subsequent years. Alternative fuel vehicles may be tested at any of the vehicle emissions testing facilities.

For bi-fuel vehicles the test is the same as for a conventionally fueled vehicle of the same class, except that two tailpipe emissions tests will be run. A bi-fuel vehicle will first be tested on the fuel it is operating on at the time it is presented for testing. After the first test, the driver will be asked to switch fuels, and a second test will be run. The second test will begin after 30 seconds of operation on the second fuel.

Certification

An alternative fuel certificate is a document that ADEQ or the Motor Vehicle Division issues for vehicles that have been converted to operate on an alternative fuel and allows the vehicle owner to register the vehicle at reduced tax rate. The lower tax rate, intended to encourage the purchase or modification of vehicles to alternative fuels, is provided for in Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-5805 .

The following vehicles are eligible for an alternative fuel certificate: Vehicles that have been converted to operate on an alternative fuel only (dedicated). Vehicles that have been converted to operate on gasoline and alternative fuel (bi-fuel, must demonstrate ability to run on either fuel). Original equipment manufactured alternative fueled vehicles do not require an alternative fuel certificate. Just provide Motor Vehicle Division with a copy of the certificate from the manufacturer or dealer indicating that the vehicle is powered by alternative fuel.

For more detailed information on alternative fuel vehicles please contact:

Metro Phoenix - Thomas Cisco
Phone: (602) 207-7013

Metro Tucson - Russell Ledbetter
Phone: (520) 628-5651