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Alternative Fuel Vehicle Registration

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Registration

Alternative fuel vehicles in Arizona qualify for the same plate options as other vehicles starting Sept. 26, 2025.

What Is an Alternative Fuel Vehicle?

Your vehicle qualifies as alternative fuel if it runs on:

  • Electric
  • Natural gas (CNG or LPG)
  • Hydrogen
  • Solar
  • A blend of 70 percent alternative fuel, 30 percent gasoline (unavailable in Arizona)

Did you convert your vehicle to alternative fuel? The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality needs to inspect it and give you an Alternative Fuel Certificate.

Important Changes Starting Sept. 12, 2026

You can choose between different license plates for your alternative fuel vehicle. 

If you have a reduced vehicle license tax (VLT), it will still apply even if you choose a plate other than the blue cloud Alternative Fuel plate.

Do I Have Reduced VLT?

Your vehicle was purchased (new or used) after Jan. 1, 2023. You pay standard vehicle registration rates and aren't in the grandfathered program.

View your plate options on AZ MVD Now.

You registered your vehicle before Jan. 1, 2023, and haven't made changes like selling or adding someone to the title.

You can choose a different plate, and your reduced rate with still apply.

View your plate options on AZ MVD Now.

If you registered your vehicle before January 1, 2023, and have not made any title or registration changes, you're probably getting this benefit. The program that allowed reduced vehicle license tax ended as of January 1, 2023. However, if you registered your vehicle before Jan. 1, 2023, you keep your reduced rate—as long as your registration stays the same.

You'll lose your reduced rate if you:

  • Add or remove someone from the title
  • Cancel your registration
  • Complete a lease buy-out
  • Sell your alternative fuel vehicle (the new owner doesn't get the reduced rate)
  • Get a salvage, flood, or nonrepairable brand on the title

Read more about Calculating Vehicle License Tax Formulas on Alternative Vehicles (PDF).

Still not sure? Contact MVD.

Emissions Testing

Hydrogen, solar, and electric vehicles don't need emissions testing.

HOV Lane Access has Expired

Alternative fuel vehicles now have the same access as other vehicles. The federal authorization that allowed alternative fuel vehicles unrestricted access to HOV freeway lanes has expired.

Learn more about HOV lanes.

Next Steps

Ready to renew your registration? Use AZMVDNow.gov to complete your registration and choose your license plate option.

Need help? Contact MVD.