Getting Your EV registration in MO

[DanGt86]

Hello,
I am new to the club and have only attended one meeting. I drive a converted Chevy Aveo. It's registered in MO as fully electric and I though I would provide info on the registration and licensing process for EVs in Missouri. The way I understand it this process has to happen every year instead of every two years like other motor vehicles. This would be a good question for the DEPT of Natural Resources guy when you call them.

The inspection process as it applied to me involved 2 steps. Obtaining an emissions reciprocity waiver and a mechanical inspection.

First it required a visual inspection from the MO dept of natural resources to make sure that the car was an EV. They issued a Reciprocity waiver. This covers the emissions portion of the inspection that is required on motor vehicles in MO. I would call these people first as they will know the most current information and may save you some trouble if something has changed in the requirements.

I had this waiver issued on two occasions by:
Dan Rethemeyer (2011) Christopher Maher (2010)
7545 S. Lindbergh
Suite 210
St. Louis MO 63125
314-416-2115

Second, a mechanical inspection is required by any licensed state inspection station. Pretty much any auto repair shop can do this. Don't be surprised if the shop you take it to for the mechanical inspection is not willing to do it. Inspectors are always under close scrutiny from the state and many of them are hesitant to take risks on something out of the ordinary. You can get documentation from the state that clearly states individual stations have the authority to perform these inspections on EVs but you would probably be better off to find a more open minded mechanic.
For more info about what is required on the mechanical side of things you can contact the Highway Patrol division on vehicle inspection at 314-416-2180.

That should be it. After you get these inspections you just go to the DMV with the usual documents needed to register any car. They will make you pay $75 for an alternative fuel sticker plus the usual fees for plates. The $75 Is supposed to make up for the fuel tax they no longer get from you. I only got 1year plates because I think the reciprocity waiver needs to be obtained yearly.
This concludes what I know about EV specific inspections.

Some General things to think about regarding vehicle inspections in Missouri:
Cars prior to 1996 don't need to be emissions inspected. They only receive a mechanical inspection to make sure the car is roadworthy at which time the mechanic is supposed to confirm the presence of emissions control devices. If you convert one of these cars and your inspection mechanic is a reasonable person there is no real need to register it as electric. You are technically breaking the law by driving without pollution control devices but you are not producing exhaust so I don't see the big deal. You cant claim any EV tax credits if you go this route and you are scamming the govt out of there $75 road tax they would collect from the alt fuels sticker.

If you are converting a car you already drive wait until you have everything you need to convert it. Go get a regular inspection and 2 year plates. Then do you conversion. If the conversion takes only 6 months you can drive for 18 more without having to worry about inspections.

If you buy a car that does not run go get the title transferred within 30 days or there will be a fee. At that time tell them the car does not run. If you don't declare that its a non-running car they will back-date your plates to when you originally did the title transfer. I lost 5 months with this mistake.

Hope that helps someone. Look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting.