§ 2904. Replace Your Ride Program

(a) Creation; administration.

(1) There is created the Replace Your Ride Program, which shall be administered by the Agency of Transportation.

(2) Subject to State procurement requirements, the Agency may retain a contractor or contractors to assist with marketing, program development, and administration of the Program.

(b) Program structure. The Replace Your Ride Program shall structure incentive payments by income to help all Vermonters benefit from replacing lower efficient modes of transportation with modes of transportation that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Agency may apply a sliding scale incentive based on electric range, with larger incentives being available for PEVs with a longer electric range.

(c) Incentive amount. The Replace Your Ride Program shall provide up to a $2,500.00 incentive for those who qualify under subdivision (d)(1)(A) of this section and up to a $5,000.00 incentive for those who qualify under subdivision (d)(1)(B) of this section, either of which may be in addition to any other available incentives, including through a program funded by the State, to individuals who qualify based on both income and the removal of an internal combustion vehicle. Only one incentive per individual is available under the Replace Your Ride Program.

(d) Eligibility. Applicants must qualify through both income and the removal of an eligible vehicle with an internal combustion engine.

(1) Income eligibility.

(A) The lower incentive amount of up to $2,500.00 is available to the following, provided that all other eligibility requirements are met:

(i) an individual domiciled in the State whose federal income tax filing status is single with an adjusted gross income under the laws of the United States greater than $60,000.00 and at or below $100,000.00;

(ii) an individual domiciled in the State whose federal income tax filing status is head of household with an adjusted gross income under the laws of the United States greater than $75,000.00 and at or below $125,000.00;

(iii) an individual domiciled in the State whose federal income tax filing status is surviving spouse with an adjusted gross income under the laws of the United States greater than $90,000.00 and at or below $150,000.00;

(iv) an individual who is part of a married couple with at least one spouse domiciled in the State whose federal income tax filing status is married filing jointly with an adjusted gross income under the laws of the United States greater than $90,000.00 and at or below $150,000.00; or

(v) an individual who is part of a married couple with at least one spouse domiciled in the State and at least one spouse whose federal income tax filing status is married filing separately with an adjusted gross income under the laws of the United States greater than $60,000.00 and at or below $100,000.00.

(B) The higher incentive amount of up to $5,000.00 is available to the following, provided that all other eligibility requirements are met:

(i) an individual domiciled in the State whose federal income tax filing status is single with an adjusted gross income under the laws of the United States at or below $60,000.00;

(ii) an individual domiciled in the State whose federal income tax filing status is head of household with an adjusted gross income under the laws of the United States at or below $75,000.00;

(iii) an individual domiciled in the State whose federal income tax filing status is surviving spouse with an adjusted gross income under the laws of the United States at or below $90,000.00;

(iv) an individual who is part of a married couple with at least one spouse domiciled in the State whose federal income tax filing status is married filing jointly with an adjusted gross income under the laws of the United States at or below $90,000.00;

(v) an individual who is part of a married couple with at least one spouse domiciled in the State and at least one spouse whose federal income tax filing status is married filing separately with an adjusted gross income under the laws of the United States at or below $60,000.00; or

(vi) an individual who is a member of a household with an adjusted gross income that is at or below 80 percent of the State median income.

(2) Vehicle removal.

(A) In order for an individual to qualify for an incentive under the Replace Your Ride Program, the individual must remove an older low-efficiency vehicle from operation and switch to a mode of transportation that produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The entity that administers the Replace Your Ride Program, in conjunction with the Agency of Transportation, shall establish Program guidelines that specifically provide for how someone can show that the vehicle removal eligibility requirement has been, or will be, met.

(B) For purposes of the Replace Your Ride Program:

(i) An “older low-efficiency vehicle”:

(I) is currently registered, and has been for two years prior to the date of application, with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles;

(II) is currently titled in the name of the applicant and has been for at least one year prior to the date of application;

(III) has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less;

(IV) is at least 10 model years old;

(V) has an internal combustion engine; and

(VI) passed the annual inspection required under 23 V.S.A. § 1222 within the prior year.

(ii) Removing the older low-efficiency vehicle from operation must be done by disabling the vehicle’s engine from further use and fully dismantling the vehicle for either donation to a nonprofit organization to be used for parts or destruction.

(iii) The following qualify as a switch to a mode of transportation that produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions:

(I) purchasing or leasing a new or used PEV;

(II) purchasing a new or used bicycle, electric bicycle, electric cargo bicycle, adaptive electric cycle, or motorcycle that is fully electric, and the necessary safety equipment; and

(III) utilizing shared-mobility services.

(e) Administrative costs. Up to 15 percent of any appropriations for the Replace Your Ride Program may be used for any costs associated with administering and promoting the Replace Your Ride Program.

(f) Outreach and marketing. The Agency, in consultation with any retained contractors, shall ensure that there is sufficient outreach and marketing, including the use of translation and interpretation services, of the Replace Your Ride Program so that Vermonters who are eligible for an incentive can easily learn how to secure as many different incentives as are available and such costs shall be considered administrative costs for purposes of subsection (e) of this section. (Added 2023, No. 62, § 19, eff. July 1, 2023.)