On Sept. 15, Illinois Gov. Pritzker signed a sweeping clean energy bill into law, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which sets a statewide clean energy goal of 100 percent by 2050.

Among the expansive clean energy provisions included in the bill is language that establishes a goal of one million electric vehicles (EV) in Illinois by 2030 and offers $4,000 rebates for residents that purchase an EV (beginning July 1, 2022). The state rebate can be used in conjunction with the federal plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) tax credit, which ranges from $2,500 to $7,500.  

In terms of infrastructure, the bill creates a charging rebate program run by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Beginning July 1, 2022, the IEPA will award rebates or grants that fund up to 80 percent of the cost of installation for both Level 2 and DC fast chargers. The rebates will be available to both public and private organizations and companies and will be awarded on a rolling basis within 60 days of an application.

In addition, the bill requires the utilities to file beneficial electrification plans with the Illinois Commerce Commission by July 1, 2022. The utilities must update the plans by July 1, 2024, and every three years thereafter. The legislation also establishes the position of Electric Vehicle Coordinator at the IEPA. The coordinator will act as a point person for electric vehicle and charging policies in Illinois.

The bill signing comes at the same time as the EV manufacturing industry continues to thrive in Illinois. In May, Lion Electric broke ground on a 900,000 square foot facility in Joliet, Illinois that will manufacture electric buses, and last week, the first EV truck rolled off the Rivian assembly line in Normal, Illinois.