What You Need to Know About the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
The Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicle Credit was enacted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and includes separate credits for four distinct categories of vehicles:
1. Qualified Hybrid Vehicles, – expired
2. Qualified Fuel Cell Vehicles,
3. Qualified Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicles (QAFMV) and Heavy Hybrids, expired
4. Advanced Lean-Burn Technology Vehicles. expired
The amount of the potential credit varies by type of vehicle and which of the four credits applies.
Internal Revenue Code Section 30B :
provides for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit. Notice 2006-9 provides procedures for manufacturers to certify passenger auto and light trucks as Qualified Hybrid Vehicles and Advance Lean Burn Vehicles and Notice 2007-46 provides procedures for heavy hybrid vehicles. Notice 2006-54 provides procedures for manufacturers to certify vehicles as Qualified Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicles (QAFMV). Notice 2008-33 provides procedures for manufacturers to certify Fuel Cell Vehicles.
Each of the four credits under the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit is addressed individually below.
Qualified Fuel Cell Vehicles
A qualified fuel cell motor vehicle is a vehicle that is propelled by power derived from one or more cells which convert chemical energy directly into electricity.
The base amount of the new qualified fuel cell motor vehicle credit varies with the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle. Passenger automobiles and light trucks are eligible for an additional fuel economy amount that varies with the rated fuel economy of a qualifying vehicle. A list of qualifying cell vehicles is available.
