                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

TITLING AND REGISTRATION OF CONVERTED ELECTRIC VEHICLES (§ 46.2-602.3)

A. Upon receipt of an application and such evidence of ownership as required by
the Commissioner pursuant to &#xA7; 46.2-625, the Department shall issue a
certificate of title for a converted electric vehicle. The first certificate of
title issued for a converted electric vehicle shall be an original certificate
of title, regardless of the submission of a Virginia certificate of title issued
for the vehicle prior to conversion.

B. 1. No converted electric vehicle shall be registered or operated on the
highways of the Commonwealth until the owner submits to the Department a
certification by a certified Virginia safety inspector that the conversion to
electric propulsion is complete and proof that the vehicle has passed a Virginia
safety inspection subsequent to the certification. Such certification shall be
on a form approved by the Commissioner and the Superintendent and shall state
that the inspector has verified that (i) the internal combustion engine has been
removed; (ii) the fuel tank has been removed and not replaced; (iii) a traction
battery pack has been installed that is distinct from the vehicle&#8217;s
original auxiliary battery system; and (iv) an electric motor has been installed
to drive the wheels of the vehicle. The safety inspector may charge a fee not to
exceed $40 to complete a certification pursuant to this subsection, but no such
charge shall be mandatory. Any fee charged for such certification shall be in
addition to any fee imposed pursuant to § 46.2-1167 for the completion of a
Virginia safety inspection.

   2. The completion of the certification required by this section shall not
   impose any liability on the safety inspector for the quality of the conversion
   process; however, nothing in this section shall be construed so as to relieve
   the safety inspector of any liability that may be imposed pursuant to Article
   21 (&#xA7; 46.2-1157 et seq.) of Chapter 10 or under any regulation
   promulgated pursuant to &#xA7; 46.2-1165, relating to the safety inspection of
   the converted electric vehicle.

   3. The submission of a certification pursuant to this section shall be
   sufficient documentation to exempt the converted electric vehicle for which it
   is submitted from the emissions inspection program required by Article 22
   (&#xA7; 46.2-1176 et seq.) of Chapter 10.

   4. When necessary and upon application, the Department shall issue temporary
   trip permits in accordance with &#xA7; 46.2-651 for the purpose of
   transporting the converted electric vehicle to and from an official Virginia
   safety inspection station.

C. The provisions of this section need only be satisfied once for each converted
electric vehicle.

HISTORY: 2012, c. 177; 2013, c. 216.