Governor Signs Legislation to Boost Electric Vehicle Usage in Illinois
CHICAGO – July 9, 2011 - Governor Pat Quinn
today signed two bills into law that will
encourage greater use of electric vehicles in
Illinois. Together, these new laws will promote
the use of energy efficient vehicles, help
reduce emissions produced by gasoline-powered
vehicles, and support the development of
advanced electric vehicle
technology.
“We must do everything we
can to encourage sustainable and affordable
transportation,” said Governor Quinn. “By
expanding the use of electric cars, we are
creating high-tech jobs, saving consumers money
and protecting our environment.”
House
Bill 2903, sponsored by Rep. Ann Williams
(D-Chicago) and Sen. Heather Steans
(D-Chicago), establishes a grant program that
will help eligible car-sharing organizations
purchase and use electric cars in their fleets.
Car-sharing organizations are membership-based
services that allow members to drive cars by
the hour, which takes cars off of the roads and
benefits our environment.
The new law
authorizes the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency (IEPA) to make grants of up
to 25 percent of a project’s total cost to
eligible car-sharing organizations for the
purchase of electric vehicles for their fleets.
These vehicles must be registered in Illinois,
and remain registered in Illinois for at least
five years after the purchase. House Bill 2903
takes effect immediately.
The grants
will be funded through the Alternate Fuels
Fund, which currently provides rebates to
Illinois vehicle owners who use renewable
fuels, such as 85 percent ethanol blend fuel,
or up to $4,000 for the cost of certain
electric-powered vehicles. For more information
regarding the fund, visit www.illinoisgreenfleets.org.
“Promoting
the use of electric cars boosts our efforts to
encourage the use of alternate fuels, which
will help improve our environment for years to
come,” said IEPA Interim Director Lisa
Bonnett.
House Bill 2902, sponsored by
Rep. Williams and Sen. Susan Garrett
(D-Chicago), creates the Illinois Electric
Vehicle Advisory Council, which will explore
and recommend strategies to encourage the use
of electric vehicles. The new law takes effect
immediately.
"This package of bills is
designed to promote and expedite the continued
development of the electric car industry in
Illinois. We are making important strides
forward by increasing the number of
environmentally-friendly transportation options
for the average Illinoisan," said Rep.
Williams. "This is really just the
beginning."
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