On July 1, 2022, the state of Illinois is set to kick off a slate of electric vehicle rebates for residents—and the timing couldn’t be better. As fuel prices rise higher and higher, with seemingly no relief in sight, they’re far from the only economic worries on most people’s minds—but they’re definitely a big deal. The good news for riders is that street electric motorcycles are included in Governor Pritzker’s rebate plans in 2022.
Some details are still being worked out, and state officials will meet again on June 14, 2022 in order to get the last of these in place prior to the plan’s launch. Here’s what we know so far.
First things first: Unlike some EV rebates we’ve seen in the past, the Illinois state EV rebate does include road-going electric motorcycles. A cool $1,500 rebate can be yours if your electric motorcycle purchase qualifies. Be aware that electric off-road bikes and mopeds do not qualify, however.
Who can qualify? All Illinois residents who purchase their electric motorcycles or other vehicles in the state of Illinois after July 1, 2022 and file the appropriate forms may qualify. It's also worth noting that vehicles purchased out of state are not eligible. Plug-in hybrids are also ineligible; only fully electric roadgoing vehicles meet the eligibility criteria.
When Illinois lawmakers hammered out this package in 2021, they included some key provisions aimed at reducing inequities in these types of programs. For one, it isn’t just purchases of new electric vehicles that qualify for the rebate—it's also purchases of used EVs.
That’s a big deal, because new EVs—especially with the 2022 markup on seemingly everything—are not exactly cheap. Those who purchase used EVs will still have to provide proof of their purchase to qualify, but it’s nice to know that buying used is even an option. Additionally, the law says that applications from low-income Illinoisans should be given priority consideration, but doesn’t outline exactly how this prioritization process will work. It’s a nice idea, but the exact process by which it could become reality isn’t clear.
Also, there is a finite amount of money in the fund for Illinois EV rebates in 2022. How much? A total of $18.5 million has been allocated for the program for the current fiscal year. Since the rebate amount for electric cars is $4,000, that money could go quickly. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is in charge of rebate administration, and rebates will come from the Illinois Comptroller’s office.
