Fuel Economy

You may choose to apply for clean special fuel license plates for a vehicle that utilizes only a clean special fuel. The vehicle must be exclusively powered by clean special fuel. The following types of fuels MAY qualify a vehicle for clean special fuel plates:

• Compressed Natural Gas
• Electricity
• Ethane
• Hydrogen
• Hythane
• Liquefied Natural Gas
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Methane
• Solar
• Combination of two types of clean special fuels

Flexible fuel vehicle engines do not utilize only a clean special fuel; therefore, they do not qualify for these license plates.

Hybrid Vehicles (Not all hybrids qualify for clean special fuel license plates.)

The following hybrids meet California's super ultra-low emission vehicle (SULEV) rating or the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) equivalent and, therefore, qualify for a clean special fuel license plate: Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Honda Civic, 2005-2006 Ford Escape, 2006 Toyota Highlander, 2006 Lexus RX400, 2006 Mercury Mariner, 2007 Toyota Camry, 2007 Lexus GS450H.

NOTE: As new hybrids qualify, this information will be updated.

Only the DMV headquarters Special License Plates and Consignment Center can issue, reissue or transfer clean special fuel plates. These transactions cannot be conducted at a Customer Service Center, by a DMV Select agent or online dealer, or on the Internet.

The vehicle owner must submit an "Application for Personalized License Plates or Special Interest Series" (VSA 10). The entire vehicle identification number (VIN) and title number must be listed on the VSA 10.

The VSA 10 may be faxed to DMV at 804-367-1280.

If the owner or prior owner has converted the vehicle to a dedicated clean special fuel engine, the owner must submit:

a copy of the receipt for purchase of a dedicated clean special fuel engine and a copy of a letter or bill from a mechanic certifying installation of a dedicated clean special fuel engine or
a letter of certification from a certified emissions inspection station verifying that the vehicle has a clean special fuel engine.
After reviewing your application and documentation, the DMV headquarters Special License Plates and Consignment Center will determine whether or not your vehicle qualifies for clean special fuel plates. You will then be notified by mail, and if qualified, the clean special fuel license plates and an invoice for payment will be mailed to you.

NOTE: If qualified, the vehicle must be titled before the clean special fuel license plates can be issued.

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