GREEN COMMUTING MADE EASY

Transportation accounts for 27% of Colorado’s total emissions. Businesses can significantly and quickly lower their carbon emissions by promoting remote work, public transit, carpooling, cycling, and driving electric vehicles. These strategies also improve air quality, benefit public health and reduce traffic commute time and stress. Maximize your business tax benefits while reducing your environmental impact.
We’re all in this together and you’re part of the solution.

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Unlocking Tax Benefits for Businesses & Individuals

Colorado’s Clean Commute Tax Credits:

Businesses can claim a 50% income tax credit up to $250,000 yearly in 2023 and 2024.

Unlock This Credit

Colorado’s EV Revolution and Tax Incentives:

Individuals can save up to $12,500 when purchasing an Electric Vehicle, incentivizing the adoption of these eco-friendly vehicles.

Discover the Savings

Access Your Free Handbook

Unlocking Tax Benefits for Businesses & Individuals

Colorado’s Clean Commute Tax Credits:

Businesses can claim a 50% income tax credit up to $250,000 yearly in 2023 and 2024.

Unlock This Credit

Colorado’s EV Revolution and Tax Incentives:

Individuals can save up to $12,500 when purchasing an Electric Vehicle, incentivizing the adoption of these eco-friendly vehicles.

Discover the Savings

GREEN COMMUTING STRATEGIES

Inspire businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, maximize tax benefits and enhance job satisfaction by offering their employees creative and easily actionable commuting options.

Carpools, Vanpools &
Guaranteed Ride Home

Cycling, Walking or
Scooting to Work

Low-cost & Eco-friendly
Public Transportation

FAQ: Green Commuting Practices

Understanding Green Mobility

What is Green Mobility?

Green mobility focuses on transportation options that reduce emissions, such as public transportation, carpooling, cycling, walking, driving hybrid or electric vehicles, and telework.

What is “Idling” and what is its impact?

Each year, U.S. passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles consume more than 6 billion gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline—without even moving. Roughly half of that fuel is wasted by people idling their passenger vehicles. Idling has a large enough impact on fuel consumption and emissions that many light-duty vehicle manufacturers have implemented stop-start technologies on their vehicles. These automatically shut off the engine when the vehicle stops, quickly and quietly restarting the engine when the gas pedal is pressed. This could result in over $20B in savings per year for those 6 billion gallons! Here’s a toolkit for idle reduction education.

EV vs. Gas: Which Cars Are Cheaper to Own?

Owning an EV is cheaper over the first 3 years of ownership when combined with EV tax credits as compared to the first 3 years of owning a gas vehicle. Learn more in the below articles.

Car & Driver Magazine uses data and simple math in an attempt to answer this very complicated question. Here’s another article by Yale’s Climate Connections also putting this question to the test.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Information

Is there a Vehicle Cost Calculator to see what my EV savings could be?

This Vehicle Cost Calculator uses basic information about your driving habits to calculate total cost of ownership and emissions for makes and models of most vehicles, including alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. Here’s a Cost Savings Calculator that delivers a simple cost saving analysis with a few inputs.

Is there a good EV comparison tool?

Compare your electric vehicles by range, price, and total cost compared to a similar gas vehicle with this Xcel Energy tool.

Is it cheaper to refuel your EV battery or gas tank?

The Washington Post put this to the test.

Where can I search for incentives and laws related to alternative fuels and advanced vehicles in Colorado?

This Federal and State Database allows you to search across Technology/Fuel, Incentive Types, Status and more.

What are the maintenance needs and safety concerns I should be aware of when considering an EV?

Maintenance needs and safety requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are similar to those of conventional vehicles, while all-electric vehicles require less maintenance. Manufacturers are designing these vehicles and publishing guides with maintenance and safety in mind. Learn more here.

Colorado’s EV Infrastructure and Plans

Where can I learn more about Colorado’s EV deployment, EV infrastructure, and get details on charging use for a selected number of CAC funded stations?

EValuateCO is a comprehensive dashboarding tool that provides insight into the current state of vehicle electrification in the state of Colorado. The dashboard allows people to view information on EV deployment, current statewide EV infrastructure, and details on charging use for a selected number of CAC funded stations. It is a great resource for anyone seeking information on vehicle electrification in Colorado.

What is Colorado’s 2023 EV Plan?

The Polis administration released its 2023 Electric Vehicle (EV) Plan in March 2023 — the third iteration of the plan, which builds on the goals and actions the state has completed since the 2018 EV Plan and 2020 EV Plan. The 2023 EV Plan outlines the state’s strategy to meet its transportation electrification goals, including policies and programs related to light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles and other electric mobility options, such as electric bicycles (eBikes). The Colorado Energy Office (CEO), Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) are the primary agencies responsible for implementing the EV plan.This includes everything from working with utilities, private companies, site hosts, local governments, and others to increase the deployment of EV charging stations and infrastructure across the state to shifting building codes that must consider the cost-effectiveness of pre-wiring for EV charging stations. Learn more here.

Where can I learn about Colorado's approach to Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) and what’s happening from a legislative perspective?

This Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment website provides resources for both consumers and automakers.

Financial and Tax Aspects of EVs

Where can I compare the value of new and used EVs?

This side by side guide lets you compare EPA Fuel Economy, Electric Range, Annual Fuel Cost and more.

Am I eligible for an EV tax credit?

If you pay taxes in Colorado, you’re eligible for a state tax credit of $5,000 with the purchase or lease of a new EV with an MSRP up to $80,000. Lease agreements must have an initial term of at least two years. Beginning January 1, 2024, EVs with an MSRP up to $35,000 will be eligible for an additional tax credit of $2,500.
As of April, 2023, to receive the full federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 for new EV purchases, there are several qualifications that you must meet. These include personal or household income, vehicle MSRP caps based on the type of vehicle you’re interested in, vehicle production requirements based on where the vehicle and its components are manufactured and assembled, and battery component and critical minerals sourcing requirements from countries with whom the United States has a Free Trade Agreement.
EV leases are also eligible for the $7,500 EV tax credit, and as of January, 2023, leased vehicles are not required to meet the qualifications listed above for EV purchases. That said, because the vehicle is still owned by the dealership, you must ask the dealer to pass along the EV tax credit to you in the form of a rebate or reduction in sales price.
Used EVs are now also eligible for a tax credit up to $4,000 or 30% of the purchase price and come with their own set of requirements as well.

Learn more at EV CO, an electric vehicle education initiative from the state of Colorado.

What are the Federal Tax Credits for Plug-in Electric and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Purchased in 2023 or After?

All-electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles purchased new in 2023 or after may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. The availability of the credit will depend on several factors, including the vehicle’s MSRP, its final assembly location, battery component and/or critical minerals sourcing, and your modified adjusted gross income (AGI). Learn more here. You can also check out the IRS’ website to learn about tax credits for new cars here and used vehicles here.

Are there any additional Electricity Laws and Incentives in Colorado that I should know about?

This list contains summaries of all Colorado laws and incentives related to electricity.

EV Readiness and Community Initiatives

Is there a National or local coalition focused on advancing affordable, domestic transportation fuels, energy-efficient mobility systems, and other fuel-saving technologies and practices?

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), Clean Cities coalitions foster the nation’s economic, environmental, and energy security by working locally to advance affordable, domestic transportation fuels, energy efficient mobility systems, and other fuel-saving technologies and practices. You can also connect with the Colorado Coalition to learn more.

Is there a town that is on the forefront of planning with regard to EV readiness?

Yes, Aspen has devised this plan to inform and support City Council and City of Aspen staff in promoting electric vehicle (EV) readiness. It also serves as a tool for staff to use in order to support individuals, businesses, and organizations in education and decision-making. Accordingly, the document is designed with utilitarian functionality in mind, rather than publication aesthetics.

GREEN COMMUTING MADE EASY

GREEN COMMUTING STRATEGIES

FAQ: Green Commuting Practices

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Carpools, Vanpools & Guaranteed Ride Home

Cycling, Walking or Scooting to Work

Low-cost & Eco-friendly Public Transportation