Illinois Incentives and Laws for EVs

The list below contains summaries of all Illinois incentives and laws related to EVs.

State Incentives

Smart Grid Infrastructure Development and Support

The Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Trust will provide financial and technical support and assistance to public or private entities within the state for programs and projects that support, encourage, or utilize innovative technologies and methods to modernize the state's electric grid. Technologies may include advanced electricity storage and peak-shaving technologies such as plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), devices that allow PEVs to engage in smart grid functions, or standards development for communication and interoperability of appliances and equipment connected to the electric grid. Electric utilities may voluntarily commit to investments in smart grid advanced metering infrastructure deployment. Participating utilities must consult with the Smart Grid Advisory Council and file a Smart Grid Advanced Metering Infrastructure Deployment Plan with the Illinois Commerce Commission. (Reference Senate Bill 1652, 2011; House Bill 3036, 2011; and 220 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/16-108.5-108.7)

Plug-in Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Grants

Car sharing organizations located and operating in Illinois may be eligible for grants of up to 25% of qualifying project costs, including the cost of purchasing new electric vehicles and building charging infrastructure. Vehicles must be predominately powered by electricity, be purchased from an Illinois dealership, and remain registered and in service with the grantee in Illinois for at least five years after purchase. Vehicles purchased with grant funds are not eligible for rebates under the Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program. Grant application and reporting requirements apply. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will administer the grant program through Fiscal Year 2013. (Reference House Bill 2903, 2011, and 415 Illinois Compiled Statutes 120/30)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Alternative Fuel Rebates

The Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program (Program) provides a rebate for 80% of the incremental cost of purchasing an AFV (up to $4,000), 80% of the cost of converting a conventional vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle to an AFV using a federally certified conversion (up to $4,000), and for the incremental cost of purchasing alternative fuels. Eligible fuels for the program include E85, fuel blends containing at least 20% biodiesel (B20), natural gas, propane, electricity, and hydrogen. A vehicle may receive one rebate in its lifetime. Only AFVs or conversion systems purchased from an Illinois-based company or vendor are eligible, except if the vehicle is a heavy-duty specialty vehicle that is not sold in Illinois, and only hybrid electric vehicles fueled with alternative fuels are eligible. To be eligible for a fuel rebate, the entity or individual must purchase the majority of E85 or biodiesel fuel from Illinois retail stations or fuel suppliers. The E85 fuel rebate is up to $450 per year (depending on vehicle miles traveled) for up to three years for each flexible fuel vehicle that uses E85 at least half the time. The biodiesel fuel rebate (for B20 and higher blends) is for 80% of the incremental cost of the biodiesel fuel, as compared to conventional diesel. The Program is part of the Illinois Green Fleets Program and is open to all Illinois residents, businesses, government units (except federal government), and organizations located in Illinois. (Reference House Bill 6047, 2010, and 415 Illinois Compiled Statutes 120/30)

Point of Contact
Darwin Burkhart
Manager, Clean Air Programs
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition
Phone: (217) 524-5008
Fax: (217) 557-2559
darwin.burkhart@illinois.gov
http://www.illinoisgreenfleets.org

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Fleet Incentives

The Illinois Green Fleets Program recognizes and provides additional marketing opportunities for fleets in Illinois that have a significant number of AFVs and use clean, domestically produced fuels.

Point of Contact
Darwin Burkhart
Manager, Clean Air Programs
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition
Phone: (217) 524-5008
Fax: (217) 557-2559
darwin.burkhart@illinois.gov
http://www.illinoisgreenfleets.org

Electric Vehicle (EV) Registration Fee Reduction

Individuals may register an EV at a discounted registration fee of no more than $18 per year. To qualify for the reduced fee, the EV must be designed to carry 10 or fewer passengers or be designed to carry more than 10 passengers but must weigh 8,000 pounds or less. (Reference 625 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/3-805)

School Bus Retrofit Reimbursement

The Illinois Department of Education will reimburse any qualifying school district for the cost of converting gasoline buses to more fuel-efficient engines or to engines using alternative fuels. Restrictions may apply. (Reference 105 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/29-5)

Fleet User Fee Exemption

Fleets with 10 or more vehicles located in defined areas must pay an annual user fee of $20 per vehicle. Owners of state, county, or local government vehicles or electric vehicles are exempt from this fee. Fees are collected into the Alternate Fuels Fund. (Reference 415 Illinois Compiled Statutes 120/35)

Laws and Regulations

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Installation Requirements

The Illinois Commerce Commission must establish certification requirements for vendors that install EVSE by April 29, 2012. (Reference Senate Bill 1652, 2011, and 220 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/16-128A)

Plug-in Electric Vehicle Promotion and Coordination

The Illinois Electric Vehicle Advisory Council is established to investigate and recommend strategies that the governor and the general assembly may implement to promote the use of plug-in electric vehicles, including potential infrastructure improvements. The governor may appoint an Electric Vehicle Coordinator to act as the point of contact for related policies and activities in the state. (Reference House Bill 2902, 2011)

Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Acquisition Goals

To help achieve the statewide goal of reducing petroleum use by 20% by July 1, 2012, as compared to 2008 petroleum use, Illinois state agencies must work towards meeting the following goals:

Agencies that operate medium- and heavy-duty vehicles must implement strategies to reduce fuel consumption through diesel emission control devices, HEV and EVs technologies, alternative fuel use, and fuel-efficient technologies. Agencies must also implement strategies to promote the use of biofuels in state vehicles; reduce the environmental impacts of employee travel; and encourage employees to adopt alternative travel methods, such as carpooling.

(Reference Executive Order 11, 2009)

Alternative Fuel Promotion

The Illinois General Assembly established the Alternate Fuels Commission (Commission) within the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to identify and recommend strategies to the governor and General Assembly for implementing and promoting the use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles. The Commission will identify ways to improve stakeholder communication and coordination regarding the research and promotion of alternative fuels. The Commission must issue written reports on their activities and findings on at least an annual basis. (Reference 415 Illinois Compiled Statutes 120/23)

State Government Energy Initiative

The Green Governments Illinois Act (Act) demonstrates the state's commitment to reduce negative environmental impacts, reduce greenhouse gases, and preserve resources for current and future generations. The Act also aims to strengthen the capacity of local governments and educational institutions to enable a more environmentally sustainable future. The Act established the Green Governments Coordinating Council (Council) to fully integrate cost-effective environmental sustainability measures into the ongoing management systems, long-range planning, and daily operations of state agencies. Initially, the Council will focus on initiatives that include those related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and alternative fuel vehicles. Local governments and educational institutes are not required to participate in the provisions of the Act. (Reference 20 Illinois Compiled Statutes 3954/1 to 3954/45)