Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs

June 2, 2015 (R42566)

Contents

Figures

Tables

Appendixes

Summary

A wide array of federal incentives supports the development and deployment of alternatives to conventional fuels and engines in transportation. These incentives include tax deductions and credits for vehicle purchases and the installation of refueling systems, federal grants for conversion of older vehicles to newer technologies, mandates for the use of biofuels, and incentives for manufacturers to produce alternative fuel vehicles. The current array of incentives for alternative fuels and related technologies does not reflect a single, comprehensive strategy, but rather an aggregative approach to a range of discreet public policy issues, including goals of reducing petroleum consumption and import dependence, improving environmental quality, expanding domestic manufacturing, and promoting agriculture and rural development.

Current federal programs are administered by five key agencies: Department of the Treasury, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The incentives and programs described in this report are organized by the responsible agency.


Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs

Introduction

A range of federal incentives supports the development and deployment of alternatives to conventional fuels and engines in transportation. These incentives include tax deductions and credits for vehicle purchases and the installation of refueling systems, federal grants for conversion of older vehicles to newer technologies, mandates for the use of biofuels, and incentives for manufacturers to produce alternative fuel vehicles. Some of these incentives have expired in recent years when Congress chose not to extend them.

Many of the policy choices presented for alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies originated as a response to the nation's interest in reducing petroleum imports, a goal first articulated at the time of the two OPEC oil embargoes in the 1970s. While President Richard Nixon is often cited as the first President to call for "energy independence," successive Presidents and Congresses have made efforts to reduce petroleum imports as well.

As shown in Figure 1, since peaking in 2005, net U.S. oil imports have fallen by 60%. Factors in this reversal include the recent recession, which reduced domestic demand, as well as a rise in the supply of U.S. oil and oil alternatives due to increased private sector investment and federal incentives, some of which are cited in this report. In addition, the United States has become a net exporter of petroleum products (while it remains a net importer of crude oil).

In addition to concerns over petroleum dependence, other factors have also driven policy on alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. The current incentives do not reflect a single, comprehensive strategy but rather an aggregative approach to a range of discreet public policy issues, including improving environmental quality, expanding domestic manufacturing, and promoting agriculture and rural development.

Figure 1. Net Oil Imports

In thousands of barrels a day (Mb/d), annual average

Source: EIA, Monthly Energy Review, March 2015, http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/#petroleum.

Note: Net oil imports are gross imports minus exports.

Factors Behind Alternative Fuels and Technologies Incentives

While a reliance on foreign sources of petroleum has been an overriding concern for the past 40 years, other factors, such as rural development, promotion of domestic manufacturing, and environmental concerns, have also shaped congressional interest in alternative fuels and technologies. A variety of programs affecting alternative fuels and technologies have been proposed and enacted, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. (This report does not evaluate the effectiveness of alternative fuel programs and incentives.) Alternative fuels programs fall into one of the following six categories: expanding domestic ethanol production; establishing other alternative fuels; encouraging the purchase of non-petroleum vehicles; reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; supporting U.S. vehicle manufacturing; and funding U.S. highways.

Developing Domestic Ethanol Production

Ethanol has been seen as a homegrown alternative to imported oil and a number of programs were put in place to encourage its domestic development (instead of importing from other ethanol producers, such as Brazil). To spur establishment of this domestic industry, Congress has enacted a number of laws, which are also beneficial to states that have a large concentration of corn growers (corn being the raw material feedstock in most U.S. ethanol). Until recently, the incentives for ethanol production have most often been included in farm-related legislation and appropriations and hence have been administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), or in tax provisions administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Notably, the volumetric ethanol excise tax credit (VEETC) provided a tax credit to gasoline suppliers who blend ethanol with gasoline, and the small ethanol producer tax credit provided a limited additional credit for small ethanol producers. Both credits expired at the end of 2011.

Establishing Other New Alternative Fuels

In addition to ethanol, Congress has sought to spur development of other alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, cellulosic biofuel, hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Some of these fuels have been supported through tax credits (such as the biodiesel tax credit), federal mandates (mainly the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)), and R&D programs (such as the Biomass Research and Development Initiative, which provides grants for new technologies leading to the commercialization of biofuels).

Encouraging the Purchase of Non-Petroleum Vehicles

Congress has enacted laws that seek to boost consumer interest by providing tax credits for the purchase of some vehicles that consume far less petroleum or do not consume petroleum at all. These tax credit programs are generally limited in duration as a way to encourage early adopters to take a risk on new kinds of vehicles. The assumption behind these laws is that once a significant number of such new cars enter the mainstream, more and more car buyers would be attracted to them, prices would fall, and the credits would no longer be needed. The credits have been available for plug-in vehicles (pure battery-electric and plug-in hybrid), hybrid vehicles, and those with fuel cells, advanced lean burn technology,1 and certain alternative fuels technologies. Congress has also enacted tax credits to spur the expansion of infrastructure to fuel such vehicles.

Reducing Fuel Consumption and Vehicle Emissions

Several agencies have been mandated by Congress and by the Obama Administration to address concerns over fuel consumption and vehicle emissions through programs for alternative fuels, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). The most significant and long-standing program to reduce vehicle fuel consumption is the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program administered by DOT.2 Under CAFE, manufacturers can accrue credits for the production and sale of certain types of alternative fuel vehicles. A joint rulemaking process between DOT and EPA links future CAFE standards with greenhouse gas (GHG) standards under the Clean Air Act. DOT also established the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) to fund programs that will reduce emissions in urban areas that may exceed certain air quality standards. At EPA, the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) was implemented with a goal of reducing diesel emissions by funding and implementing new technologies. In addition, EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates the scalable use of renewable fuels in gasoline between 2006 and 2022.3 Under the RFS, GHG emission reduction requirements apply to biofuels from newer refineries.

Supporting U.S. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing

The Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with U.S. automakers and academic institutions, has overseen research and development programs on vehicle electrification for nearly 40 years, in particular research focused on how to produce economical batteries that extend electric vehicle range. These R&D programs were supplemented in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA; P.L. 111-5) to include grants to build lithium-ion battery manufacturing plants in a bid to boost the international competitiveness of this sector. The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program at DOE supports manufacturing plant investments to enable the development of technologies to reduce petroleum consumption, including the manufacture of electric and hybrid vehicles.4

Highway Funding and Fuels Taxes

As described below (see "Motor Fuels Excise Taxes"), one of the earliest fuels-related federal programs is the motor vehicle fuels excise tax first passed in the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to fund construction and then maintenance of the interstate highway system.5 Originally, only gasoline and diesel were taxed, but as newer fuels became available (such as ethanol and compressed natural gas), they were added to the federal revenue program, but often at lower tax rates than gasoline or diesel. Lower tax burdens for some fuels or vehicles effectively incentivize those choices over conventional options. However, lower tax burdens for these vehicles and fuels could ultimately compromise federal highway revenue. The vehicles responsible for lower tax revenues include traditional internal combustion engine vehicles with higher mileage per gallon as well as new technology electric and hybrid cars.

Structure and Content of the Report

The federal tax incentives and programs discussed in this report aim to support the development and deployment of alternative fuels. There is no central coordination of how these incentives interact. In general, they are independently administered by separate federal agencies, including five key agencies: Treasury, DOE, DOT, EPA, and USDA.

This report focuses strictly on those programs that directly support alternative fuels or advanced vehicles, and does not address more general programs (e.g., general manufacturing loans, rural development loans.), or those that have been authorized but never funded. The programs are presented by agency, starting with those that generally address these issues, followed by those that are fuel- or technology-specific. Expired programs are included in a separate section at the end of the report, because there may be congressional interest in reinstating these programs or establishing similar programs in the future.

The Appendix contains four tables:

Department of the Treasury

Motor Fuels Excise Taxes

Incentives for Alternative Fuel and Alternative Fuel Mixtures (other than Liquefied Hydrogen)

Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit

Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Credit

Alternative Fuel Refueling Property Credit

Department of Energy

Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program

Vehicle Technologies Program

Biomass and Biorefinery Systems Program

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Program

Clean Cities Program

Department of Transportation

Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program Alternative Fuel Vehicle Credits

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program

Clean Fuels Grant Program

Environmental Protection Agency

National Clean Diesel Campaign

Renewable Fuel Standard

Department of Agriculture11

Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program (formerly the Biorefinery Assistance Program)

Repowering Assistance Program

Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels

Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP; §9011)

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants and Loans

Biomass Research and Development (BRDI)

Appendix. Expired Programs

Biodiesel Income Tax Credit

Conversion Kits

Credit for Production of Cellulosic and Algae-Based Biofuel

Plug-in Electric Vehicle Credit

Renewable Diesel Tax Credit

Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit

Small Ethanol Producer Tax Credit

Special Depreciation Allowance for Cellulosic and Algae-Based Biofuel Plant Property

U.S. Customs and Border Protection—Import Duty on Fuel Ethanol

Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit

Summary Tables

Appendix A contains four tables:

Table A-1. Federal Programs by Agency

Program

Description

FY2015 Appropriation or JCT Estimated Expenditure

Expiration Date

Eligible Fuels or Technologies

Internal Revenue Service

Motor Fuels Excise Taxes

Most motor fuels taxes were enacted in the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 primarily to support the Highway Trust Fund, except for the tax on compressed natural gas, which was enacted in 1993. The federal excise tax on most of these fuels was last raised by Congress in 1993. Taxes vary by fuel: gasoline, 18.4 cents per gallon; diesel fuel, 24.4 cents per gallon; biodiesel, 24.4 cents per gallon; ethanol, 18.4 cents per gallon; hydrogen, 18.4 cents per gallon equivalent; liquefied petroleum gas, 18.3 cents per gallon; compressed natural gas, 18.3 cents per gallon equivalent; liquefied natural gas, 24.3 cents per gallon. Electricity for electric vehicles is exempt from taxation, and exemptions for other fuels existed until recently. Differences between tax rates effectively incentivize certain options over others.

N/A

4.3 cents per gallon of the gasoline/ diesel fuel tax is permanent; the rest of the motor fuels taxes expire on 9/30/2016 when many current highway-related taxes expire

Gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, fuels with methanol from natural gas, and compressed natural gas.

Incentives for alternative fuel and alternative fuel mixtures (other than liquefied hydrogen)

The Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit is a 50-cents-per gallon excise tax credit for certain alternative fuel used as fuel in a motor vehicle, motor boat, or airplane; a similar provision established a 50-cents-per gallon credit for alternative fuel mixed with a traditional fuel (gasoline, diesel or kerosene) for use as a fuel.

N/A

12/31/2014

Liquefied petroleum gas, P Series fuels, compressed or liquefied natural gas, liquefied hydrogen, any liquefied fuel derived from coal or peat, liquefied hydrocarbons derived from biomass. (Does not include ethanol, methanol or biodiesel.)

Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit

This provision includes separate credits for four distinct types of vehicles: using fuel cells, advanced lean burn technologies, qualified hybrid technology, or qualified alternative fuels technologies.

Less than $50 million

12/31/2014 for fuel cell vehicles, expired 12/31/2010 or earlier for all other vehicles

Compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, any liquid that is at least 85% methanol or a mixture of one of these fuels with a petroleum fuel.

Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Credit

Purchasers of plug-in electric vehicles may file to obtain a tax credit of up to $7,500 per vehicle, depending on battery capacity.

$200 million

The credit is phased out when an automaker has sold a total of 200,000 qualified vehicles

Plug-in electric vehicles.

Alternative Fuel Refueling Property Credit

Consumers who install qualified residential non-hydrogen fueling equipment receive a 30% tax credit of up to $1,000; businesses receive a credit up to $30,000 (maximum credits were increased for 2009 and 2010, except for hydrogen property). Hydrogen refueling property may receive respective credits of up to $1,000 and $200,000.

Less than $50 million

12/31/2014 for hydrogen refueling property; 12/31/13 for all other fuels

Natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, electricity, E85, or diesel fuel blends containing a minimum of 20% biodiesel.

Biodiesel Tax Credit

Producers of biodiesel or diesel/biodiesel blends may claim a tax credit of $1.00 per gallon of biodiesel.

$0

12/31/2013

Biodiesel.

Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit

An agri-biodiesel (produced from virgin agricultural products) producer with less than 60 million gallons per year in production capacity may claim a credit of 10 cents per gallon on the first 15 million gallons produced in a year.

$0

12/31/2013

Biodiesel.

Renewable Diesel Tax Credit

Producers of renewable diesel (similar to biodiesel, but produced through a different process) may claim a tax credit of $1.00 per gallon of renewable diesel.

$0

12/31/2013

Renewable diesel.

Credit for Production of Cellulosic and Algae-Based Biofuel

Producers of cellulosic and algae-based biofuels may claim a tax credit of $1.01 per gallon. For ethanol producers, the value of the production tax credit is reduced by the value of the volumetric ethanol excise tax credit and the small ethanol producer credit. Since both offsetting credits have expired, the credit is currently valued at $1.01 per gallon. The credit applies to fuel produced after December 31, 2008.

$0

12/31/2013

Cellulosic and algae-based biofuels.

Special Depreciation Allowance for Cellulosic and Algae-Based Biofuel Plant Property

Plants producing cellulosic and algae-based biofuels may take a 50% depreciation allowance in the first year of operation, subject to certain restrictions.

$0

12/31/2013

Cellulosic and algae-based biofuels.

Department of Energy

Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Program

ATVM was established in 2007 to help automakers meet mandated vehicle fuel economy standards and to encourage domestic production of more fuel-efficient cars and light trucks. It was first funded in 2008 to provide $25 billion in revolving loans to qualified automakers for investment in their manufacturing operations. In FY2008, $7.51 billion was appropriated for the direct loans—$7.5 billion for the loan subsidies (available until expended) and $10 million for administration. Currently, loans have been made to five companies, using $8.4 billion of the $25 billion loan authority.

$4 million (for administration)

Facilities funded must be placed in service by 12/31/2020

No limitations on specific technologies; rather, limits are stipulated for vehicle emissions and fuel consumption.

Vehicle Technologies Program (VTP)

Through research and development, VTP supports partnerships with other public and private organizations that will enhance energy efficiency and productivity, bring clean and affordable technologies to market, and enhance advanced technology vehicle choices for consumers.

$280 million—of that $103 million for Batteries and Electric Drive Technology

None

Advanced batteries, power electronics and electric motors, advanced combustion, lightweight materials, vehicle-to-grid interaction, and fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.

Biomass and Biorefinery Systems Program

The Biomass Program primarily focuses on research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) to ensure that cellulosic ethanol is commercially viable by 2012 and that biobased aviation fuel, diesel fuel, and gasoline are price competitive by 2017.

$225 million

None

Biofuels.

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Program

The DOE Hydrogen Program works with industry, national laboratories, universities, government agencies, and other partners to overcome the barriers to the use of hydrogen and fuel cells. It includes a research and development (R&D) effort focused on advancing the performance and reducing the cost of these technologies.

$97 million

None

Hydrogen, fuel cells.

Clean Cities Program

Initially started in 1993 as a DOE program to promote alternative fuel vehicles among the states, it is now a broader program to reduce petroleum consumption in transportation, with 100 Clean Cities coalitions that focus on deployment of alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy improvements, and emerging transportation technologies. Clean Cities provides technical, informational, and financial assistance to communities.

$24 million

None

Electricity, natural gas, propane, bio-methane, ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen.

Department of Transportation

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Incentives for Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Automakers subject to Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards may accrue credits under that program for the production and sale of alternative fuel vehicles. For dedicated vehicles (i.e., vehicles that run solely on alternative fuel) credits are unlimited. For dual fueled vehicles (i.e., that may run on conventional or alternative fuel) credits are limited: The maximum fuel economy increase allowed through the use of these credits is 1.2 miles per gallon through model year (MY) 2014. After 2014 the credits are phased down and completely eliminated after MY 2019.

N/A

No expiration for dedicated vehicles; after MY 2019 for dual fueled vehicles

Methanol (at least 85%), ethanol (at least 85%), natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, coal-derived liquid fuels, biologically derived fuels, and electricity.

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)

Congress directed the DOT to establish the CMAQ program to provide funds for projects and programs that may reduce the emissions of transportation-related pollutants that may cause an area within a state to exceed certain air quality standards.

$1.35 billion

7/31/2015

Not limited to alternative fuels or advanced technologies.

Clean Fuels Grant Program

This program provides grants to state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations (among others) to purchase "clean fuel" transit buses. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants for conventional buses cover 80% of the cost, while Clean Fuels grants cover 90% of the incremental cost of clean fuel buses over conventional buses. Alternative fuels and advanced technologies qualify, including advanced diesel: however, only 25% of funding may be used for advanced diesel projects.

$3 million

Once all unobligated funds are spent

Buses powered by compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, biodiesel, batteries, ethanol, methanol, fuel cells, and clean diesel.

Environmental Protection Agency

National Clean Diesel Campaign

EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) promotes clean air strategies by working with manufacturers, fleet operators, air quality professionals, environmental and community organizations, and state and local officials to reduce diesel emissions. States are allocated funds for their clean diesel programs through the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA).

$30 million

9/30/2016

Primarily for technologies which significantly reduce emissions (EPA maintains a list of verified retrofit technologies and emerging technologies at http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/).

Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

Mandated use of renewable fuel in gasoline and diesel fuel: 4.0 billion gallons in 2006, increasing to 36 billion gallons in 2022. There are specific sub-mandates for advanced biofuels (fuels other than corn-based ethanol), cellulosic biofuels, and biomass-based diesel fuels. Greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements apply to all advanced biofuels and to conventional biofuels from refineries built after 2007.

N/A

None

Biofuels (specific requirements for advanced biofuels, cellulosic fuels, and biomass-based diesel fuels).

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Biorefinery Assistance

The Biorefinery Assistance Program (BAP) assists in the development of new and emerging technologies for advanced biofuels. BAP provides competitive grants and loan guarantees for construction and/or retrofitting of demonstration-scale biorefineries to demonstrate the commercial viability of one or more processes for converting renewable biomass to advanced biofuels. Biorefinery grants can provide for up to 30% of total project costs. Each loan guarantee is limited to $250 million or 80% of project cost.

Mandatory CCC funding of $100 million in FY2014 and $50 million each for FY2015 and FY2016 (to remain available until expended) was authorized for loan guarantees. Discretionary authorization: Discretionary funding of $75 million annually was authorized for FY2014-FY2018

Funding authorized through FY2016

Advanced biofuels.

Repowering Assistance

The Repowering Assistance Program (RAP) makes payments to eligible biorefineries (those in existence on the date of enactment of the 2008 farm bill, June 18, 2008) to encourage the use of renewable biomass as a replacement for fossil fuels used to provide heat for processing or power in the operation of these eligible biorefineries. Not more than 5% of the funds shall be made available to eligible producers with a refining capacity exceeding 150 million gallons of advanced biofuel per year.

Mandatory funding: Under the 2014 farm bill, mandatory CCC funding of $12 million for FY2014 was authorized, to remain available until expended

Discretionary authorization: $10 million annually for FY2014-FY2018 was authorized to be appropriated

Authorized through FY2018

Renewable biomass.

Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels

To support and ensure an expanding production of advanced biofuels by providing payments to eligible advanced biofuel producers

$15 million for each of FY2014-FY2018 was authorized to remain available until expended

Discretionary funding of $20 million annually for FY2014-FY2018

Authorized through FY2018

Advanced biofuels

Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)

The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) provides financial assistance to owners and operators of agricultural land and non-industrial private forest land who wish to establish, produce, and deliver biomass feedstocks. BCAP provides two categories of assistance:
1. establishment and annual payments, including a one-time payment of up to 75% of the cost of establishment for perennial crops, and annual payments (i.e., rental rates based on a set of criteria) of up to 5 years for non-woody and 15 years for woody perennial biomass crops; and
2. matching payments, up to $45 per ton, which may be available to help eligible material owners with collection, harvest, storage, and transportation (CHST) of eligible material for use in a qualified biomass conversion facility.

$15 million for each of FY2014-FY2018 was authorized to remain available until expended

Discretionary funding of $20 million annually for FY2014-FY2018

Authorized through FY2018

Feedstocks for the production of advanced biofuels.

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

Provides grants and loans for a variety of rural energy projects, including efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects.

Mandatory CCC funds of $50 million are authorized for FY2014 and each fiscal year thereafter. $20 million annually was authorized to be appropriated for FY2014-FY2018

Authorized through 2018

Rural energy projects broadly.

Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI)

Provides competitive funding in the form of grants, contracts, and financial assistance for research, development, and demonstration of technologies and processes leading to significant commercial production of biofuels, biobased energy innovations, development of biobased feedstocks, biobased products, and other such related processes, including development of cost-competitive cellulosic ethanol.

Mandatory funding (to remain available until expended) of $3 million for four fiscal years—FY2014-FY2017—that is, baseline funding authority expires after FY2017

Discretionary funding of $20 million is authorized to be appropriated annually for FY2014-FY2018

Authorized through 2018

Biomass energy and biobased products (not limited to transportation applications).

Source: CRS analysis.

Note: N/A = not applicable.

Table A-2. Federal Taxes and Incentives for Alternative Fuels

Fuel

Excise Tax Rate (¢ per gallon)

Production Incentive

Incentive for Blending and/or Fuel Use

Federal R&D

Other Programs

Biofuels

General

 

 

 

DOE Biomass R&D program—$232 million in FY2015,a smaller amounts in USDA Biomass R&Db

Renewable fuel standard (RFS) mandates biofuel use by gasoline and diesel fuel suppliers.

Tax credit for installation of refueling infrastructure for some biofuels.

Conventional Ethanol

18.4

None

$0.54 per gallon [expired]

 

Majority of RFS currently met through use of conventional (corn-based) ethanol.

Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel

24.4

$1.00 plus $0.10 for small producers

$1.00 per gallon (may not claim this and the producer credit)

 

Specific carve-out in RFS for biomass-based diesel.

Cellulosic and Algae-Based Biofuels

Varies

$1.01 per gallon, plus accelerated depreciation of plant property

None

DOE and USDA biomass programs focused on cellulosic biofuel development

 

Advanced Biofuelsc

Varies

Varies

Varies

DOE Biomass Program

USDA Farm Bill programs, including Biorefinery Assistance, Repowering Assistance, Bioenergy Program, Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).

Hydrogen

18.4

None

$0.50 per gallon

DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Program—$97 million in FY2015d

Tax credit for installation of refueling infrastructure (expired).

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

18.3

None

$0.50 per gallon

 

Tax credit for installation of refueling infrastructure (expired).

Natural Gas

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

18.3

None

$0.50 per gallon

 

Tax credit for installation of refueling infrastructure (expired).

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

24.3

None

$0.50 per gallon

 

Tax credit for installation of refueling infrastructure (expired).

Source: CRS analysis.

Notes: For more details, see Table A-1. Italics indicate expired provisions.

a. Program not exclusively for transportation biofuels—also covers bioenergy (i.e., stationary sources) and bioproducts.

b. Program not exclusively for transportation biofuels—also covers bioenergy (i.e., stationary sources) and bioproducts.

c. This category generally encompasses others, including cellulosic biofuels, algae-based biofuels, and biomass-based diesel fuels.

d. Program not exclusively focused on transportation.

Table A-3. Federal Incentives for Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles

Vehicle Technology or Fuel Type

Manufacturing Incentive

Purchase Incentive

Federal R&D

Other Programs

Electrified Vehicles

General

 

 

$103 million in FY2015 under DOE's Vehicle Technologies Program covers hybrid, battery electric, and plug-in technologies

National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC), Clean Cities.

Hybrid

ATVM loan program generally applies.

Up to $3,400 for passenger vehicles [expired]

 

 

Battery Electric

Credits under CAFE program; ATVM loan program generally applies.

Up to $7,500 for passenger vehicles;

Up to $2,500 for two- and three-wheeled and low-speed vehicles;

Up to $4,000 for conversion kits [expired]

 

 

Plug-in Hybrid

Credits under CAFE program; ATVM loan program generally applies.

Up to $7,500 for passenger vehicles;

Up to $2,500 for two- and three-wheeled and low-speed vehicles;

Up to $4,000 for conversion kits; [expired]

 

 

Ethanol Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)

Credits under CAFE program expire after 2019 model year.

None

Limited

National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC), Clean Cities.

Fuel Cell Vehicles

Credits under CAFE program; ATVM loan program generally applies.

Up to $8,000 for passenger vehicles

DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Program—$97 million in FY2015a

National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC), Clean Cities.

Natural Gas Vehicles

Limited

 

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

Credits under CAFE program; ATVM loan program generally applies.

Up to $4,000 for passenger vehicles [expired]

 

National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC), Clean Cities.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Credits under CAFE program; ATVM loan program generally applies.

Up to $4,000 for passenger vehicles [expired]

 

National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC), Clean Cities.

Source: CRS analysis.

Notes: For more details, see Table A-1. Italics indicate expired provisions.

a. Program not exclusively focused on transportation.

Table A-4. Expired Programs by Agency

Administering Agency

Program

Description

Expiration Date

Eligible Fuels or Technologies

Internal Revenue Service

Biodiesel Income Tax Credit

Biodiesel producers (or producers of diesel/biodiesel blends) may claim a per-gallon tax credit through the end of 2013. The credit is valued at $1.00 per gallon. Before amendment by P.L. 110-343, the credit was valued at $1.00 per gallon of "agri-biodiesel" (biodiesel produced from virgin agricultural products such as soybean oil or animal fats), or 50 cents per gallon of biodiesel produced from previously used agricultural products (e.g., recycled fryer grease). The tax credit expired at the end of 2009 and was not extended until the passage of P.L. 111-312, which retroactively applied the extension to fuel produced in 2010. The tax credit also expired at the end of 2011 and was extended through 2013 by P.L. 112-240, which retroactively applied the extension to fuel produced in 2012.

December 31, 2013

Biodiesel producers and blenders

 

Conversion Kits

A credit of up to $4,000 was allowed for purchasing a kit to convert a vehicle to a plug-in electric drive vehicle.

December 31, 2011

Qualified plug-in electric vehicle kits.

 

Credit for Production of Cellulosic and Algae-Based Biofuel

Producers of cellulosic biofuel may claim a tax credit of $1.01 per gallon. For cellulosic ethanol producers, the value of the production tax credit is reduced by the value of the volumetric ethanol excise tax credit and the small ethanol producer credit—the credit is currently valued at $1.01 cents per gallon (the offsetting tax credits have expired). P.L. 112-240 amended the credit to include non-cellulosic fuel produced from algae feedstocks.

December 31, 2013

Cellulosic and algae-based biofuels.

 

Plug-in Electric Vehicle Credit

A maximum credit of $2,500 is allowed for certain types of new qualified plug-in electric vehicles, including low-speed vehicles or vehicles with two or three wheels.

December 31, 2013

Two- or three-wheeled plug-in electric vehicles or certain low-speed vehicles.

 

Renewable Diesel Tax Credit

Producers of biomass-based diesel fuel (or producers of diesel/renewable biodiesel blends) may claim a $1.00 per gallon tax credit through the end of 2013. Renewable diesel is similar to biodiesel, but it is produced through different processes and thus was ineligible for the (above) biodiesel credits. The tax credit expired at the end of 2009 and was not extended until the passage of P.L. 111-312, which retroactively applied the extension to fuel produced in 2010. The credit also expired at the end of 2011 and was extended through 2013 by P.L. 112-240, which retroactively applied the extension to fuel produced in 2012.

December 31, 2013

Renewable diesel.

 

Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit

The small agri-biodiesel producer credit is valued at 10 cents per gallon of "agri-biodiesel" (see Biodiesel Tax Credit, above) produced. The credit may be claimed on the first 15 million gallons of ethanol produced by a small producer in a given year through the end of 2013. The tax credit expired at the end of 2009 and was not extended until the passage of P.L. 111-312, which retroactively applied the extension to fuel produced in 2010. The credit also expired at the end of 2011 and was extended through 2013 by P.L. 112-240, which retroactively applied the extension to fuel produced in 2012.

December 31, 2013.

Any agri-biodiesel producers with production capacity less than 60 million gallons per year.

 

Small Ethanol Producer Credit

The small ethanol producer credit was valued at 10 cents per gallon of ethanol produced through the end of 2011. The credit was claimed on the first 15 million gallons of ethanol produced by a small producer in a given year.

December 31, 2011

Ethanol

 

Special Depreciation Allowance for Cellulosic and Algae-Based Biofuel Plant Property

A taxpayer may take a depreciation deduction of 50% of the adjusted basis of a new cellulosic or algae-based biofuel plant in the year it is put in service. Any portion of the cost financed through tax-exempt bonds is exempted from the depreciation allowance. Before amendment by P.L. 110-343 the accelerated depreciation applied only to cellulosic ethanol plants that break down cellulose through enzymatic processes—the amended provision applies to all cellulosic biofuel plants. Before amendment by P.L. 112-240 the provision did not apply to algae-based biofuel plants: the incentive for algae-based plants applies to property placed in service in 2013.

December 31, 2013

Cellulosic and algae-based biofuels.

 

Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit

Gasoline suppliers who blend ethanol with gasoline were eligible for a tax credit of 45 cents per gallon of ethanol.

December 31, 2011

Ethanol (and other alcohol fuels).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Import Duty on Fuel Ethanol

A most-favored nation duty of $0.54 per gallon of fuel ethanol applied to imports from most countries through 2011. A 2.5% ad valorem tariff still applies.

Added duty expired December 21, 2011

Imported ethanol for fuel use.

Source: CRS analysis.

Footnotes

1.

In general these are advanced diesel vehicles.

2.

For more information, see CRS Report R42721, Automobile and Truck Fuel Economy (CAFE) and Greenhouse Gas Standards, by [author name scrubbed], [author name scrubbed], and [author name scrubbed].

3.

CRS Report R40155, Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Overview and Issues, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].

4.

For more information, see CRS Report R42064, The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program: Status and Issues, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].

5.

The gasoline tax was originally enacted in 1932 and dedicated solely to reducing a federal budget deficit. It remained that way until the passage of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 (P.L. 84-627) which established the Highway Trust Fund; the Highway Revenue Act was Title II of P.L. 84-627. For more details about the role of the fuels tax in funding the federal highway program, see CRS Report RL30304, The Federal Excise Tax on Motor Fuels and the Highway Trust Fund: Current Law and Legislative History, by [author name scrubbed].

6.

Taxes dedicated to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), and authority to place those taxes into the HTF and to spend funds out of the HTF all have expiration dates which must be extended by Congress periodically.

7.

JCT does not place a tax expenditure cost on excise taxes.

8.

The tax is imposed on the producer of such fuels.

9.

For JCT tax expenditure estimates, see U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Taxation, Estimates of Federal Tax Expenditures for Fiscal Years 2014-2018, 113th Cong., 2ndt sess., August 5, 2014, JCX-97-14 (Washington: GPO, 2014).

10.

Under Map-21, Congress discontinued eight FTA programs, including the Clean Fuels Program, leaving unobligated balances from prior years to be spent.

11.

For program details, see CRS Report R41985, Renewable Energy Programs and the Farm Bill: Status and Issues, by [author name scrubbed].

12.

USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation is the funding mechanism for the mandatory payments that are administered by various agencies of USDA, including all of the farm commodity price and income support programs and selected conservation programs. For more information on mandatory versus discretionary authorizations, see CRS Report R43110, Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2014 and FY2013 (Post-Sequestration) Appropriations, coordinated by [author name scrubbed].

13.

H.J.Res. 117, Continuing Appropriations Resolution, was signed into law on September 28, 2012.

14.

H.R. 933, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, was signed into law on March 26, 2013.

15.

Because of the nature of the credit, the actual tax expenditure is $0, although tax receipts are reduced by approximately $6 billion.