SECTION 1. Section 16 of chapter 25A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “section”, in line 1, the following words:- and section 18.

SECTION 2. Subsection (a) of said section 16 of said chapter 25A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following definition:-

“Zero-emission vehicle”, a motor vehicle that produces no engine exhaust carbon emissions.

SECTION 3. Said chapter 25A is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-

Section 18. (a) The commissioner shall, subject to appropriation, establish a program to provide rebates or other financial incentives to consumers who purchase or lease and register and insure in the commonwealth a zero-emission vehicle. Vehicles qualifying for rebates under this section shall: (i) be manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads and highways; (ii) have an engine that is not modified from the original manufacturer's specifications; and (iii) have been acquired for use or lease by the consumer and not for resale.

(b) For vehicles classified by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) as within the Class 1 weight class, a rebate under this section shall not be less than $5,000 per vehicle, provided that no rebate shall be provided for vehicles with a sales price that exceeds $60,000.

(c) The commissioner may promulgate regulations to administer the program established under this section. At least once per calendar year, the commissioner shall provide outreach to underserved consumers and consumers in communities with a high percentage of low-income households with information about the zero-emission vehicle incentive program established under this section.

(d) The commissioner shall publish and regularly update data regarding program usage including, but not limited to: (i) the number and amount of rebates or incentives provided each month; (ii) the make, model and type of vehicle for which the rebate or incentive was issued; (iii) the zip code in which the vehicle is registered; and (iv) the estimated total greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved from the rebate or incentive issued.