§30C — Title 26 Internal Revenue Code | U.S. Code

§30C Alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit

Title 26 › Subtitle Subtitle A— - Income Taxes › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES › Subchapter Subchapter A— - Determination of Tax Liability › Part PART IV— - CREDITS AGAINST TAX › Subpart Subpart B— - Other Credits › § 30C

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Taxpayers can get a tax credit for buying and putting into service equipment that refuels or recharges vehicles using alternative fuels. The credit equals 30% of the cost, except it is 6% for equipment that is a depreciable business asset. For any single item the credit cannot be more than $100,000 if it is depreciable, or $1,000 otherwise. “Qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property” means fueling or charging equipment like stations for fuels that are at least 85% ethanol or certain natural gas or hydrogen fuels, electricity, certain biodiesel/diesel blends (at least 20% biodiesel), and other transportation fuels defined by law. Equipment that can both charge a vehicle battery and send power out of the battery still qualifies. The equipment must be put into service in an “eligible census tract” (areas listed in section 45D(e) or tracts that are not urban areas as shown by the most recent decennial census). Credit for depreciable items is treated as a general business credit and is limited by your regular tax and tentative minimum tax rules. The credit reduces the asset’s tax basis. Special rules can make the credit five times larger for projects that meet prevailing-wage and other requirements. The Secretary will issue rules, and the credit does not apply to property placed in service after June 30, 2026.

Title 26, §30C

Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to 30 percent (6 percent in the case of property of a character subject to depreciation) of the cost of any qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property placed in service by the taxpayer during the taxable year.

(b)The credit allowed under subsection (a) with respect to any single item of qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property placed in service by the taxpayer during the taxable year shall not exceed—

(1)$100,000 in the case of any such item of property of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation, and

(2)$1,000 in any other case.

(c)For purposes of this section—

(1)The term “qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property” has the same meaning as the term “qualified clean-fuel vehicle refueling property” would have under section 179A if—

(A)paragraph (1) of section 179A(d) did not apply to property installed on property which is used as the principal residence (within the meaning of section 121) of the taxpayer, and

(B)only the following were treated as clean-burning fuels for purposes of section 179A(d):

(i)Any fuel at least 85 percent of the volume of which consists of one or more of the following: ethanol, natural gas, compressed natural gas, liquified natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or hydrogen.

(ii)Any mixture—

(I)which consists of two or more of the following: biodiesel (as defined in section 40A(d)(1)), diesel fuel (as defined in section 4083(a)(3)), or kerosene, and

(II)at least 20 percent of the volume of which consists of biodiesel (as so defined) determined without regard to any kerosene in such mixture.

(iii)Electricity.

(iv)Any transportation fuel (as defined in section 45Z(d)(5)).

(2)Property shall not fail to be treated as qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property solely because such property—

(A)is capable of charging the battery of a motor vehicle propelled by electricity, and

(B)allows discharging electricity from such battery to an electric load external to such motor vehicle.

(3)(A)Property shall not be treated as qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property unless such property is placed in service in an eligible census tract.

(B)(i)For purposes of this paragraph, the term “eligible census tract” means any population census tract which—

(I)is described in section 45D(e), or

(II)is not an urban area.

(ii)For purposes of clause (i)(II), the term “urban area” means a census tract (as defined by the Bureau of the Census) which, according to the most recent decennial census, has been designated as an urban area by the Secretary of Commerce.

(d)(1)So much of the credit which would be allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year (determined without regard to this subsection) that is attributable to property of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation shall be treated as a credit listed in section 38(b) for such taxable year (and not allowed under subsection (a)).

(2)The credit allowed under subsection (a) (after the application of paragraph (1)) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess (if any) of—

(A)the regular tax liability (as defined in section 26(b)) reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under subpart A and section 27, over

(B)the tentative minimum tax for the taxable year.

(e)For purposes of this section—

(1)For purposes of this subtitle, the basis of any property for which a credit is allowable under subsection (a) shall be reduced by the amount of such credit so allowed (determined without regard to subsection (d)).

(2)In the case of any qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property the use of which is described in paragraph (3) or (4) of section 50(b) and which is not subject to a lease, the person who sold such property to the person or entity using such property shall be treated as the taxpayer that placed such property in service, but only if such person clearly discloses to such person or entity in a document the amount of any credit allowable under subsection (a) with respect to such property (determined without regard to subsection (d)). For purposes of subsection (d), property to which this paragraph applies shall be treated as of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation.

(3)No credit shall be allowable under subsection (a) with respect to any property referred to in section 50(b)(1) or with respect to the portion of the cost of any property taken into account under section 179.

(4)No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any property if the taxpayer elects not to have this section apply to such property.

(5)Rules similar to the rules of section 179A(e)(4) shall apply.

(6)For purposes of this section, any reference to section 179A shall be treated as a reference to such section as in effect immediately before its repeal.

(f)For purposes of this section—

(1)The term “qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property” includes any property described in subsection (c) for the recharging of a motor vehicle described in paragraph (2), but only if such property—

(A)meets the requirements of subsection (a)(2),11 So in original. There is no subsec. (a)(2) in this section. and

(B)is of a character subject to depreciation.

(2)A motor vehicle is described in this paragraph if the motor vehicle—

(A)is manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, or highways (not including a vehicle operated exclusively on a rail or rails),

(B)has 2 or 3 wheels, and

(C)is propelled by electricity.

(g)(1)(A)In the case of any qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling project which satisfies the requirements of subparagraph (C), the amount of the credit determined under subsection (a) for any qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation which is part of such project shall be equal to such amount (determined without regard to this sentence) multiplied by 5.

(B)For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling project” means a project consisting of one or more properties that are part of a single project.

(C)A project meets the requirements of this subparagraph if it is one of the following:

(i)A project the construction of which begins prior to the date that is 60 days after the Secretary publishes guidance with respect to the requirements of paragraphs (2)(A) and (3).

(ii)A project which satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (2)(A) and (3).

(2)(A)The requirements described in this subparagraph with respect to any qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling project are that the taxpayer shall ensure that any laborers and mechanics employed by the taxpayer or any contractor or subcontractor in the construction of any qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property which is part of such project shall be paid wages at rates not less than the prevailing rates for construction, alteration, or repair of a similar character in the locality in which such project is located as most recently determined by the Secretary of Labor, in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code.

(B)Rules similar to the rules of section 45(b)(7)(B) shall apply.

(3)Rules similar to the rules of section 45(b)(8) shall apply.

(4)The Secretary shall issue such regulations or other guidance as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including regulations or other guidance which provides for requirements for recordkeeping or information reporting for purposes of administering the requirements of this subsection.

(h)The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(i)This section shall not apply to any property placed in service after June 30, 2026.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 179A as in effect immediately before its repeal, referred to in subsec. (e)(6), means section 179A of this title as in effect before it was repealed by Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(34)(A), Dec, 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4042, effective Dec. 19, 2014.

Amendments

2025—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 119–21 substituted “

June 30, 2026” for “

December 31, 2032”. 2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13404(b)(1), inserted “(6 percent in the case of property of a character subject to depreciation)” after “30 percent”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13404(b)(2)(A), in introductory provisions, substituted “with respect to any single item of” for “with respect to all” and struck out “at a location” after “taxable year”. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13404(b)(2)(B), substituted “$100,000 in the case of any such item of property” for “$30,000 in the case of a property”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13404(b)(3), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) related to qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property. Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13704(b)(2), added cl. (iv). Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13404(e), added par. (3). Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13404(c), added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g), then (h). Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13404(d), added subsec. (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h), then (i). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13404(a), substituted “

December 31, 2032” for “

December 31, 2021”. Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13404(c), (d), successively redesignated subsecs. (f) and (g) as (h) and (i), respectively. 2020—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–260 substituted “

December 31, 2021” for “

December 31, 2020”. 2019—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–94 substituted “

December 31, 2020” for “

December 31, 2017”. 2018—Subsec. (e)(6), (7). Pub. L. 115–141 redesignated par. (7) as (6) and struck out former par. (6) which related to special rule for property placed in service during 2009 and 2010. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–123 substituted “

December 31, 2017” for “

December 31, 2016”. 2015—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–113 substituted “

December 31, 2016” for “

December 31, 2014”. 2014—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 113–295, § 218(b), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The basis of any property shall be reduced by the portion of the cost of such property taken into account under subsection (a).” Subsec. (e)(7). Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(34)(B), added par. (7). Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–295, § 161(a), substituted “placed in service after

December 31, 2014.” for “placed in service— “(1) in the case of property relating to hydrogen, after

December 31, 2014, and “(2) in the case of any other property, after

December 31, 2013.” 2013—Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 112–240 substituted “

December 31, 2013” for “

December 31, 2011.” 2010—Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 111–312 substituted “

December 31, 2011.” for “

December 31, 2010”. 2009—Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1144(b)(2), substituted “section 27” for “section 27 and 30B”. Pub. L. 111–5, § 1142(b)(3), struck out “, 30,” before “and 30B”. Subsec. (e)(6). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1123(a), added par. (6). 2008—Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 110–343, § 207(b), added subpar. (C). Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 110–343, § 207(a), substituted “

December 31, 2010” for “

December 31, 2009”. 2007—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–172, § 6(b)(1), reenacted heading without change and amended introductory provisions generally. Prior to amendment, introductory provisions read as follows: “The credit allowed under subsection (a) with respect to any alternative fuel vehicle refueling property shall not exceed—”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–172, § 6(b)(2), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the term ‘qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property’ has the meaning given to such term by section 179A(d), but only with respect to any fuel— “(A) at least 85 percent of the volume of which consists of one or more of the following: ethanol, natural gas, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or hydrogen, or “(B) any mixture of biodiesel (as defined in section 40A(d)(1)) and diesel fuel (as defined in section 4083(a)(3)), determined without regard to any use of kerosene and containing at least 20 percent biodiesel. “(2) Residential property.—In the case of any property installed on property which is used as the principal residence (within the meaning of section 121) of the taxpayer, paragraph (1) of section 179A(d) shall not apply.” 2005—Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 109–135, § 412(d), substituted “regular tax liability (as defined in section 26(b))” for “regular tax”. Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 109–135, § 402(k), inserted at end “For purposes of subsection (d), property to which this paragraph applies shall be treated as of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation.”

made by this section [enacting this section and amending section 38, 55, 1016, and 6501 of this title] shall apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2005, in taxable years ending after such date.”

Savings Provision

For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 115–141 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to Mar. 23, 2018, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Mar. 23, 2018, see section 401(e) of Pub. L. 115–141, set out as a note under section 23 of this title.

§30C Alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit

Summary

Title 26, §30C

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