Illinois Passes Two Bills to Increase Electric Vehicle Use
On July 11, 2011, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed two bills that will encourage greater use of electric vehicles. The bills create a council to explore the uses of electric vehicles and provide grants to eligible car-sharing organizations to purchase and use electric vehicles.
Electric Vehicle Adoption Act
House Bill 2902 creates the position of Electric Vehicle Coordinator for the State of Illinois, to be appointed by the Governor, who will be the point person for electric vehicle related policies. The bill also creates the Illinois Electric Vehicle Advisory Council to investigate and recommend policies for greater electric vehicle adoption in Illinois. The Council is required report its finding to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2011.
Alternative Fuels Car-sharing Program
House Bill 2903 authorizes the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to not-for-profit car-sharing organizations to purchase and use electric vehicles. The vehicles must be registered in the State of Illinois and remain in Illinois for five years after purchase under the program. The Bill sets aside $500,000 to the program, which comes from the modification of the existing Illinois Alternative Fuels Act, and may not exceed 25 percent of the grantee’s project cost. The law is effective immediately until the end of fiscal year 2013.
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