Massachusetts Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program

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.

Table of Contents

News & Updates

Mass. & Multi-State Goals   Boost ZEVs, Lower Emissions

November 2024

The emergency regulations amendments to 310 CMR 7.40 went into effect on November 4, 2024, and incorporate regulations promulgated by the California Air Resources Board for the Heavy-duty Omnibus model year 2026 legacy engine provisions, clarify exemptions for transit buses, emergency vehicles and military tactical vehicles, and delays the Heavy-duty Omnibus effective model year from model year 2025 to 2026.

  • MassDEP is providing two public hearings and a public comment period on the emergency regulations, which may be modified after public hearing and comment.
  • The public hearings will take place: Monday, December 9, 2024, at 1:00 PM and 5:30 PM (EST).
  • The emergency regulations, background information, and public hearing registration information are available on MassDEP’s web site at 310 CMR 7.00: Air Pollution Control.

October 2024

MassDEP announced that the agency plans to file emergency regulations, which will be effective on filing, to delay implementation of the Heavy-Duty Omnibus (HDO) regulation until Model Year (MY) 2026 and will exercise enforcement discretion under the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation to exempt vehicles purchased by state and local agencies for snowplowing and snow removal purposes (e.g., dump trucks, salt and sand spreaders, front end loaders) and street sweepers for MY 2025 and MY 2026.

  • Massachusetts is required by state law to adopt certain California vehicle emission standards. The standards adopted through this requirement for passenger vehicles has led to lower transportation emissions, adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles by over 125,000 residents, businesses, and state and local agencies, and less poor air quality days.
  • In 2021, as part of the Motor Vehicle Emissions Standards law, Massachusetts adopted California’s emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
  • Those standards come in the form of two regulations, (1) the Heavy-duty Omnibus (HDO) Regulation (requiring manufacturers to sell lower emissions engines) and (2) the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Regulation (requiring a certain percentage of manufacturers’ overall sales to include sales of Zero Emission Vehicles).
  • California has not yet received the required waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce the Heavy-duty Omnibus Regulation, therefore California (and Massachusetts) cannot enforce the regulation. In addition, MassDEP has been informed that there may not be a sufficient supply of engines which comply with the Heavy-duty Omnibus Regulation.
  • For those reasons, MassDEP is updating the first year of the Heavy-duty Omnibus Regulation compliance to begin in Model Year 2026.
  • The Advanced Clean Trucks rule sets a minimum percentage requirement for the sale of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) by manufacturers and provides the ability for manufacturers to buy credits to make up for any lack of ZEV sales.
  • MassDEP has heard directly from cities and towns that manufacturers are restricting the sales of diesel vehicles in order to comply with the regulation.
  • Municipalities have also expressed challenges with identifying electric trucks that serve their needs and concerns about charging infrastructure, particularly for handling potential snow emergencies.
  • To address these concerns and provide more flexibility to dealers and purchasers, MassDEP is providing exemptions for snow removal vehicles (e.g., dump trucks, salt and sand spreaders, front end loaders) and street sweepers for Model Years 2025 and 2026 for state and municipal vehicle purchases.
  • These added flexibilities will allow municipalities to procure the equipment they need while still making progress on decarbonizing our transportation sector.

MassDEP Enforcement Discretion

FAQ on MassDEP HDO and ACT Implementation

NESCAUM also has published FAQs on ACT and HDO.

CARB has published ACT Myth vs. Fact.

March 2023

MassDEP finalized regulations that took effect on December 30, 2022, amending 310 CMR 7.40: Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program, to adopt California’s Advanced Clean Cars II Regulation that requires increasing sales of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). 

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.

LEV requirements apply to the following vehicles sold
and registered in Massachusetts.
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.

Additional Resources   for Bringing a Vehicle into Massachusetts

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