Illinois EV rebate applications to open Aug. 1
Published 5:20 pm Wednesday, July 22, 2026
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois residents seeking a rebate for purchasing an electric vehicle can begin applying Aug. 1, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday, kicking off a new application cycle that will run through Dec. 31.
Forms and instructions for the rebate program are available on the agency’s website. Applications postmarked or received before Aug. 1 will not be accepted.
“Illinois continues to see an increase in electric vehicles registered within the state, and many of those have been recipients of an Illinois EPA EV Rebate,” Illinois EPA Director James Jennings said in a statement. “This incentive program continues to encourage residents to adopt zero-emission transportation for the benefit of Illinois’ environment.”
Under the program, eligible vehicles must have a selling price of $80,000 or less. Rebates are $2,000 for an eligible new or used electric vehicle, with an additional $2,000 available to low-income applicants, for a total of up to $4,000. Motorcycles remain eligible for a $1,500 rebate.
To qualify, an applicant’s income cannot exceed 500% of the federal poverty line, and applicants cannot be claimed as a dependent. Low-income applicants are defined as those whose income does not exceed 80% of the regional or county median income, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Applicants have 180 days from the date of vehicle purchase to apply, though applications must be submitted during an open application period. Other eligibility requirements include that the vehicle must be new or used, fully electric, and legally permitted for use on public roads, and it must be purchased — not leased or rented — from a dealership licensed by the Illinois secretary of state. Vehicles that have previously received a rebate under the program are not eligible, and only Illinois residents may apply, with each individual limited to one rebate. Purchasers must also retain ownership of the vehicle for at least 12 consecutive months after the purchase date.
The Illinois General Assembly has appropriated $14 million for the program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, though actual rebate funding will depend on money available in the state’s Electric Vehicle Rebate Fund. During the previous application cycle, which ran from October 2025 through May 2026, the state received 3,499 applications and issued 3,001 rebates, including 1,658 to low-income applicants.
Questions about the program can be submitted to the Illinois EPA. Residents interested in updates can register for the agency’s EV program email list through its website.
