• In accordance with Maryland House Bill 367,passed by the 2005 General Assembly, and effective October 1, 2005, certain qualified hybrid vehicles are exempt from the testing requirements of the VEIP. The exemption will remain in effect until September 30, 2012.
  
  
• As a result of the provisions of House Bill 367, effective October 1, 2005:
• • The Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius manufactured prior to the 2008 model year ARE exempt from the VEIP.
  • The Honda Civic Hybrid , Ford Escape, GMC Sierra Hybrid, Chevy Silverado Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Tahoe, Honda LS600h, 
    Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, Nissan Altima, Saturn Aura, Saturn Vue, Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander (both 2WD and 4WD models) and Toyota Prius (model year 2008) are NOT exempt from the VEIP.
     
• Beginning with the 2008 model year, the EPA made changes in the testing procedures for calculating a vehicle's fuel economy rating.  As a result, no model year 2008 hybrid vehicles meet the fuel economy requirements for exemption from the Maryland Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program.
   
• Under House Bill 367, “Qualified Hybrid Vehicle - Exemption from Motor Vehicle Emissions Test and Inspection Requirements” a qualified hybrid vehicle is exempt from the VEIP requirements if the vehicle obtains a rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of at least 50 miles per gallon during city fuel economy tests.
   
• Under Senate Bill 103, "Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007"- After September 30, 2012 a qualified hybrid vehicle is not required to submit to a first exhaust emissions test and emissions equipment and misfueling inspection under the VEIP until 3 years after the date on which the vehicle was first registered in the State.
   
• The EPA and U.S Department of Energy (DOE) jointly produce the annual Fuel Economy Guide, which is available at www.fueleconomy.gov. The attached chart presents the fuel economy ratings for hybrid vehicles.
   
• Based upon the EPA fuel economy ratings, the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius are exempt from the VEIP by virtue of a city fuel economy rating of at least 50 miles per gallon. The Honda Civic Hybrid, Ford Escape HEV, GMC Sierra Hybrid and the Chevy Silverado Hybrid are not exempt from the VEIP because their city fuel economy rating is less the 50 miles per gallon.
  

U.S.Environmental Protection Agency Fuel Economy Ratings
Hybrid Electric Vehicles
2000-2008