Green Driver State Incentives in Missouri

Missouri's eco-friendly residents can take advantage of a handful of money-saving, green driver incentives. Whether you currently drive an electric car, hybrid or an alternative fuel vehicle—or are in the market to buy a fuel-efficient vehicle—read on for perks aimed at enticing MO drivers to go green.

As Missouri more heavily focuses on environmental issues, the incentives below might change, not to mention the laws specific to protecting the environment. Refer back to this page along with periodically consulting your local Missouri Motor Vehicle Bureau branch and the Alternative Fuels Data Center for the latest.

Missouri Vehicle Emissions Testing Exemptions

Missouri exempts the following eco-friendly vehicles from emissions testing:

  • Low-speed vehicles powered by gasoline.
  • Plug-in electric vehicles* such as the:
    • Chevy Volt.
    • Nissan Leaf.
    • Fisker Karma S Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV).
  • Vehicles powered solely by:
    • Solar power.
    • Electricity.
    • Hydrogen.
    • Fuels other than gasoline, diesel, or ethanol (E10 and E85).
  • New vehicles with fewer than 6,000 miles on the odometer (when sold) during the model year and the year that follows; this includes a titled vehicle's first retail sale.
  • Vehicles driven fewer than 12,000 miles between biennial safety inspections; submit and complete a Mileage-Based Exemption Request before registering your vehicle.

*The vehicles mentioned are examples and by no means an exhaustive list. Missouri defines an electric powered car as a plug-in electric-drive vehicle that meets each of the following requirements:

  • Made by a manufacturer.
  • Not modified from original manufacturer specifications.
  • Operated solely by electric power.
  • Capable of recharging its battery from an on-board generation source and an off-board electricity source.

Keep in mind that Missouri only requires emissions testing in the following areas for the purposes of first-time vehicle registration and registration renewal:

  • St. Louis City.
  • St. Louis County.
  • St. Louis County County.
  • Jefferson County.
  • St. Charles County.

For a full list of vehicles exempt from emissions testing, consult the Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program of Missouri's Department of Natural Resources—the agency handling smog checks. If your vehicle requires an emissions test, find a nearby smog check station using the locator widget at the bottom of this page.

MO Auto Insurance Discounts for Eco-Friendly Driving and Green Vehicles

Driving a green vehicle, or even just having eco-friendly habits behind the wheel, can earn you significant savings on car insurance. Consult your car insurance company about potential vehicle auto insurance discounts such as:

  • Hybrid auto discounts.
  • Alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) discounts.
  • Economy car discounts.
  • Low-mileage discounts.
  • Pay as you drive discounts.

Of course, not all auto insurance providers offer the same discounts. What's more, your specific circumstances might also vary how much you save. For owning or leasing a hybrid car you might receive a 10% discount on car insurance, while maintaining low mileage can earn you an additional auto insurance discount.

Going green should save you some green so if your current MO auto insurance carrier doesn't reward eco-friendly driving, find one that does. Compare auto insurance rates online.

Federal Tax Credits for Going Green

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) gives eco-friendly drivers a tax break for buying fuel-efficient vehicles such as:

  • Electric cars (EV).
  • Hybrids.
  • Plug-in hybrids (PHEV).
  • Diesels.
  • Alternative fuel vehicles (AFV).

Get the full scoop at fueleconomy.gov.

If you need help navigating how to take advantage of these federal tax credits, consider consulting a tax professional or your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.

Weight Limit Increase for Idle Reduction Technology

Missouri allows for an increase in the maximum gross vehicle limit and axle weight limit of up to 550 lbs for vehicles equipped with idle reduction technology. The purpose: to compensate for the extra weight that an idle reduction system adds. To take advantage of this incentive to reduce pollution, you must be able to show proof to law enforcement that:

  • Your idle reduction technology is fully functional (at all times).
  • The gross weight increase is used for no other purpose than idle reduction technology.

For specifics, consult Missouri Revised Statutes (Chapter 304, Section 304.180).

Find a Nearby Missouri Emissions Testing Station

Locate the closest MO smog and emissions testing station with the widget below:

Please enter your ZIP code OR city and state abbreviation

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