Illinois Hybrid Electric Vehicle Laws and Incentives

State Incentives

Hybrid Electric Vehicle Rebate

Through the Green Rewards Program, the Illinois State Treasury offers a $1,000 rebate for the purchase of a new hybrid or other fuel efficient vehicle. Participating banks and credit unions agree to accept a discounted deposit rate from the state for one year in exchange for providing the $1,000 rebates to Illinois residents. The original vehicle purchase date must be on or after July 15, 2007, and rebates are available for one year. Rebates are available for new compressed natural gas, hybrid electric, electric, and fuel cell vehicles with less than 7,500 miles. Buyers must receive financing from a participating financial institution.

State Laws and Regulations

State Agency Vehicle Acquisition Priorities and Biofuels Use

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) is directed to take all actions necessary to enable the procurement of 2% biodiesel fuel blends (B2) for the state's diesel vehicle fleet and also investigate ways to increase availability of E85 for the state's flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) fleet. The CMS is directed to advise the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in developing a plan to facilitate the use of E85 and B2 in the state fleet and expand the E85 and biodiesel fueling infrastructure. Additionally, the directors of all executive agencies using the state's fleet of FFVs are directed to implement policies and procedures requiring state employees to use E85 and B2 in state vehicles whenever practical. Furthermore, state agencies are permitted to establish priorities for the acquisition of FFVs, especially hybrid electric vehicles that are capable of using E85, as well as diesel vehicles capable of using biodiesel. (Reference Executive Order 7, 2004)

Advanced Vehicle Acquisition and Biodiesel Fuel Use Requirement

Effective July 1, 2007, all gasoline-powered vehicles purchased from state funds must be flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) or fuel efficient hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). FFVs are defined as automobiles or light trucks that operate on either gasoline or E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). Fuel efficient HEVs are defined as automobiles or light trucks that use a gasoline or diesel engine and an electric motor to provide power and gain at least a 20% increase in combined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency city-highway fuel economy over the equivalent or most-similar conventionally-powered model. Furthermore, any vehicle purchased from state funds that is fueled by diesel fuel must be certified by the manufacturer to run on 5% biodiesel (B5) fuel. The Chief Procurement Officer is permitted to determine that certain vehicle procurements are exempt from these requirements based on intended use or other reasonable considerations such as health and safety of Illinois citizens. (Reference 30 Illinois Compiled Statutes 500/25-75)