Most new vehicles with 7,500 or fewer miles on their odometers need to be equipped with factory-installed California-certified advanced emission control systems in order to be sold and registered in Massachusetts.
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Massachusetts Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program
Table of Contents
News & Updates
Mass. & Multi-State Goals
Boost ZEVs, Lower Emissions
September 2022
310 CMR 7.41: Proposed Large Entity Reporting Regulation
MassDEP is proposing to require a one-time report from certain entities on their medium- and heavy-duty vehicle use.
Public Notice: English | Español | 中文 | 中文(繁體) | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Tiếng Việt
Virtual Public Hearing: October 4, 2022 (Video playback on MassDEP YouTube channel)
Public Comment Period: Ends October 14, 2022
September 2022
MassDEP hosted a pair of virtual stakeholder meetings to share information on its upcoming Massachusetts Advanced Clean Cars II Regulation, aimed at addressing emissions from light- and medium-duty on-road vehicles.
Presentation from Stakeholder Meetings, September 13 & 14, 2022
March 2022
MassDEP finalized regulations that took effect on December 30, 2021, amending 310 CMR 7.40: Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program, to adopt California’s:
- Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation for medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles;
- Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulation for MHD engines and vehicles; and
- Heavy-Duty Omnibus regulation for heavy-duty engines and vehicles.
April 2021
MassDEP held two virtual public stakeholder meetings to share information on upcoming regulatory efforts to address criteria pollutant, greenhouse gas, and toxic air contaminant emissions from medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) on-road vehicles.
August 2020
Massachusetts joined with the states of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington in supporting California’s agreements with BMW (including Rolls Royce), Ford, Honda, Volkswagen (including Audi and Porsche), and Volvo to voluntarily continue making annual reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their vehicles.
Gasoline and diesel cars and light trucks will get cleaner through model year 2026, preventing hundreds of millions of tons of GHG over the lifetime of the agreements.
See Additional Resources below to learn more about these Massachusetts and multi-state initiatives.
Additional Resources for News & Updates
Summary of Massachusetts Requirements
The Massachusetts Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program requires most new vehicles with 7,500 or fewer miles on their odometers to be equipped with factory-installed California-certified advanced emission control systems.
| Model Years | Vehicle Type(s) | Weight Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 & Newer | Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks & Sport Utility Vehicles |
Up to 6,000 lbs. |
| 2003 & Newer | Medium-Duty & Sport Utility Vehicles |
6,001-14,000 lbs. |
| 2004 & Newer | Light-Duty Diesel Passenger Vehicles & Trucks |
Up to 8,500 lbs. |
In addition, Massachusetts has adopted California Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks as part of its Low Emission Vehicle Program. The ZEV standards require large and intermediate volume automobile manufacturers to deliver and place in the state specific percentages of ZEVs. In turn, manufacturers earn ZEV credits for meeting or exceeding these targets. See Additional Resources below to learn more.
Additional Resources for Summary of Massachusetts Requirements
What to Know When Buying a Car
All new car dealerships in Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Maine, and California sell LEVs. Dealerships bordering these states may also sell LEVs. If you buy a new car from a dealer outside of Massachusetts, be sure to ask for documentation that your new vehicle is a LEV.
How to identify a LEV:
- The law requires a Vehicle Emission Control Label under the hood stating "this vehicle conforms to U.S. EPA and state of California regulations" or "this vehicle conforms to U.S. EPA regulations and is certified for sale in California." Also, the Certificate of Origin will state the following: "Certified for sale in Massachusetts, California, and New York," or "Certified for sale in 50 states."
How the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) identifies a LEV:
- If your vehicle has never been registered, the RMV will inspect its Certificate of Origin for a LEV certification statement.
- For a previously registered vehicle with less than 7,500 miles, you'll need to schedule an appointment with an RMV inspector, who will check under the hood for the Vehicle Emission Control Label.
Non-LEV vehicles may not be registered in Massachusetts! Return your vehicle to the seller. Auto makers have informed their dealers that they may sell only LEVs to Massachusetts residents.
Additional Resources for What to Know When Buying a Car
Bringing a Vehicle into Massachusetts
Every vehicle that is newly registered in Massachusetts is required to undergo a state safety inspection and emissions test within seven days of registration. To learn more, visit: Massachusetts Vehicle Check
Depending on the vehicle's model year and where you are bringing it from, you may need to satisfy additional requirements.
| Your Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Moving to Massachusetts from another state. | Nothing beyond registering your vehicle and having it inspected. LEV standards do not apply. |
| Importing a model year 1995 or newer vehicle with more than 7,500 miles on the odometer. | Contact the Registry of Motor Vehicles for instructions on registering your vehicle. |
| Importing a model year 1995 vehicle with fewer than 7,500 miles on the odometer, or a vehicle that has never been titled. | Call MassDEP at 617-292-5762 to request an emissions waiver that will allow you to register your vehicle. |
| Importing your vehicle from another country. | Your vehicle will need to comply with the applicable federal requirements below, and meet Massachusetts LEV, registration, and inspection requirements. |