Illinois’ $4K electric vehicle rebate returns in 2025

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois will offer residents a $4,000 rebate on the purchase of an electric vehicle, beginning in 2025.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will also give a rebate of $1,500 off the purchase on an electric motorcycle.

The Illinois General Assembly appropriated $14 million for the rebate program, which opens in mid-January, 2025, and will remain open until the funding runs out. The money was made available by the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.

This year, the IEPA awarded 3,000 rebates from a $12 million fund after 5,587 applications were received. In 2023, 7,669 applications were received and 4,872 were awarded from a $19 million rebate fund.

Applications must be postmarked on or after the first day of the next open cycle and within 90 days of purchase of the vehicle and meet all other eligibility criteria:

• The purchaser must reside in Illinois at time of vehicle purchase and at the time the rebate is issued.
• The vehicle must be purchased from a dealer located in Illinois and licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State. Rented or leased vehicles do not qualify for the rebate.
• The vehicle cannot have been the subject of a previous EV rebate under this program in Illinois. VIN numbers can be checked here .
• Only individuals can receive a rebate and can only receive one rebate. Businesses, government units, organizations, and other entities that are not individuals will be denied a rebate.
• The rebate amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the vehicle.
• The purchaser must retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle purchase date.
• The purchaser must apply for the rebate within 90-days after the vehicle purchase date.

Both new and used cars can qualify for the rebate. The IEPA says it will prioritize low-income applicants.

The federal government is also offering tax credits for EVs, up to $7,500 for a new vehicle and up to $4,000 on a used vehicle with a sticker price below $25,000. The tax credit amount available is based on an individual’s tax liability, and some car dealers, who have registered with the government program, can offer the tax credit as a rebate at the time of sale.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the rebate cycle would open on January 1st, 2025.

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