Code of Massachusetts Regulations
225 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES
Title 225 CMR 26.00 - Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) Program
Section 26.02 - Definitions

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

Applicant. The eligible individual or entity, including federally-recognized and state-acknowledged tribes, seeking a rebate or voucher for an eligible MOR-EV incentive. The Applicant may or may not be the same entity as the Vehicle End User. Third parties, such as financing entities or solutions providers, may be qualified to apply for MOR-EV rebates on behalf of Vehicle End Users such as public or municipal fleets.

Battery Electric Vehicle. Any vehicle that solely operates through use of an electric battery. All power and function are derived from the batteries and electric motors; a Battery Electric Vehicle does not produce any engine exhaust carbon emissions and is thereby a Zero Emission Vehicle.

Cab Card. A registration document issued by a base jurisdiction for a vehicle of an apportioned fleet. The Cab Card identified the vehicle, registrant, jurisdictions for which the vehicle is apportioned, plate number, the registered weight by jurisdiction, and any other necessary information.

Corporate Fleets. Commercial and nonprofit fleets, which include company-owned vehicles, companies with vans, rental car companies, and companies that provide vehicles to employees instead of paying mileage.

Day. Unless otherwise defined or limited, a day shall mean a calendar day and not a business day. For computing a period of time in these regulations, the last day of the period is to be included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or a state legal holiday in which the period runs until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or state legal holiday.

Department. The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), established by M.G.L. c. 25A.

Environmental Justice Population.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle. A vehicle that generates electricity using oxygen and compressed hydrogen within a fuel cell; a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle does not produce any engine exhaust carbon emissions and is thereby a Zero Emission Vehicle.

Floor Model or Test Drive Vehicles. Vehicles used as dealership floor models and test drive vehicles are vehicles that have not been registered previously with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles or its equivalent in any other state.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The maximum safe operating weight or mass of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer (e.g., on the certificate of origin), including the vehicle's chassis, body, engine, engine fluids, fuel, accessories, driver, passengers, and cargo, but excluding that of any trailers.

Guideline. A set of clarifications, interpretations, and procedures, including forms, developed by the Department to assist in compliance with the requirements of 225 CMR 26.00. The Department may issue new or revised Guidelines from time to time. Each Guideline shall be effective on its date of issuance or on such date as is specified therein, except as otherwise provided in 225 CMR 26.00.

Income-qualified Program. A state or federal program where income has been verified and eligibility has already been determined, such as food and nutrition assistance programs, health care benefits, childcare and elder care financial aid, housing assistance, supplemental income, veterans' programs, and home energy assistance programs. The Department will provide a list of Income-qualified Programs on the MOR-EV website.

International Registration Plan (IRP). A registration reciprocity agreement among states of the United States, including Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, and provinces of Canada. IRP is an optional program for licensing commercial vehicles in two or more IRP jurisdictions.

Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV). A motor vehicle 8,500 pounds GVWR or less in which the ignition and combustion of the fuel, typically gasoline or diesel, occurs within the engine itself. This does not include vehicles that have an internal combustion engine combined with a hybrid electric powertrain or plug-in hybrid electric system.

Licensed Dealership. A Class I or Class II vehicle dealer with a valid auto dealers license according to M.G.L. c. 140, § 58, or, for dealerships outside the Commonwealth, a dealer with valid equivalent licensure according to the appropriate agency or authority in any other jurisdiction.

Light-duty Vehicle. A passenger car, minivan, or other vehicle that is 8,500 pounds GVWR or less, excluding pickup trucks 6,000 pounds GVWR or greater.

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). The recommended sale price that is determined by the vehicle's manufacturer.

Market Value. A monetary value greater than zero dollars at which a vehicle would transfer ownership between a Licensed Dealership and an eligible Applicant.

Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) Program. The rebate program established pursuant to 225 CMR 26.00.

Medium- and Heavy-duty Vehicle. A vehicle that is 10,001 pounds GVWR or greater.

MOR-EV Terms and Conditions. An agreement detailing requirements for the MOR-EV program that an Applicant and Vehicle End User must acknowledge and sign in order to receive a rebate.

New Vehicle. A motor vehicle, as defined by M.G.L. c. 90, § 1, constructed of new parts, that has never been the subject of a retail sale, and has never been registered with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles or with the appropriate agency or authority in any other jurisdiction. This also includes all-electric upfits of new vehicles that result in a Qualifying Zero Emission Vehicle.

Ownership Period. The period that an entity is financially responsible for a New Vehicle or Used Vehicle. For the purposes of the MOR-EV Program, this period must encompass a minimum of 36 consecutive months beginning immediately after the vehicle purchase or lease for New Vehicles or Used Vehicles up to 10,000 pounds GVWR, and 48 months for New Vehicles or Used Vehicles 10,001 pounds GVWR and above.

Participating Dealership. A licensed New or Used Vehicle dealership that is enrolled in the MOR-EV Program for the purposes of participating in the Point-of-sale rebate.

Point-of-sale (POS). The time and place the sales or lease transaction takes place.

Pre-qualification Voucher. An official document issued by the Program Administrator that serves as proof of eligibility for the MOR-EV+ low-income rebate adder and used Light-duty Vehicle programs, to be redeemed at a Participating Dealership to claim rebate(s) at the Point-of-sale or lease.

Program Administrator. The Program Administrator for 225 CMR 26.00 that has been contracted and legally authorized by the Department to administer the MOR-EV rebate programs and related processes.

Purchase Price. The final purchase price, or gross capitalized cost for a lease, of the Used Vehicle minus registration fees, documentation fees, or sales and use taxes.

Qualifying Zero Emission Vehicle. A New Vehicle or Used Vehicle:

Rebate Reservation Voucher. For the MOR-EV Medium- and Heavy-duty Vehicle Rebates, an official document or other such certification as defined by the Department and issued by the Program Administrator that demonstrates an Applicant intends to order an eligible vehicle over 10,000 pounds GVWR. A Rebate Reservation Voucher must be applied for and approved prior to taking delivery of an eligible vehicle and is redeemed upon submitting application documentation to request a rebate within 90 days of taking delivery of said vehicle.

Rollback Vehicle. A "rollback" occurs when a buyer purchases or leases a vehicle then returns it shortly after purchase, or when a buyer's financing is disapproved.

Sales Price. The total manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) at the time of sale or lease, which includes different pre-packaged groups of features for a particular New Vehicle, excluding registration fees, documentation fees, or sales and use taxes. For Qualifying Zero Emission Vehicle conversions, the Sales Price must include the total MSRP plus the total cost of the all-electric upfit.

Trade-in Vehicle. An Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV) that meets the MOR-EV Program requirements and that is transferred to a Licensed Dealership for credit toward the price of the Qualifying Zero Emission Vehicle being purchased or leased.

Unwind Vehicle. An "unwind" occurs when vehicle registration is completed, but the sale was not consummated, and the buyer never took delivery.

Used Clean Vehicle Credit. A federal tax credit for buying a previously owned, qualified electric vehicle, including cars and light trucks, under 26 U.S.C. § 25E.

Used Vehicle. A motor vehicle, as defined by M.G.L. c. 90, § 1, which has been previously and separately registered with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles or with the appropriate agency or authority in any other jurisdiction and is eligible for retail sale to another party. Vehicles will be listed as "used" on the motor vehicle purchase or lease agreement. For the purposes of the MOR-EV Program, the vehicle cannot have been purchased new or used within the previous 24 months or leased for a period of less than 36 months. This also includes all-electric retrofits of Used Vehicles that are at least two years old and that result in a Qualifying Zero Emission Vehicle.

Vehicle End User. The individual or entity that operates an eligible vehicle. This may be the owner of the vehicle or a different individual or entity under a lease agreement.

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV). A motor vehicle that produces no engine exhaust carbon emissions.