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Illinois Electric Vehicle Rebates, Tax Credits and Incentives
With generous state incentives and three of the four major public utilities offering time-of-use rates for EV charging, Illinois makes it easier—and more affordable—than ever to go electric. In this article, we will explore different ways you can save on an electric vehicle and EV charging in the state.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency EV Rebate
Illinois residents can also take advantage of a rebate from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) worth up to $4,000 when purchasing a new or used EV. If you’re considering buying an electric motorcycle, the IEPA also offers a $1,500 rebate.
While there is no income limit on eligibility for these rebates, qualified applications from low-income purchasers are prioritized and rebates to qualified purchasers are awarded accordingly by the Illinois EPA, as per the law.
The Illinois EPA will open the next rebate application cycle on January 21, 2025. The rebate application cycle will close on April 30, 2025. The application will be made available shortly before the opening of the rebate application cycle. Buyers have up to 90 days from the purchase date to apply for this rebate, ensuring you can take advantage of the program when funding resumes.
Federal Tax Credits For Electric Vehicles
Car buyers in Illinois may also qualify for federal tax credits like the clean vehicle tax credit of up to $7,500 for new vehicles, or the used clean vehicle tax credit for up to $4,000. Income restrictions as well as battery component and critical mineral restrictions may apply. Be sure to speak to a qualified CPA or tax professional to check your eligibility.
Utility Rebates For Electric Cars in Illinois
As of January 2025, no EV rebates are available from utilities in Illinois.
Illinois EV Charger Rebates
In addition to the above incentives that are offered for purchasing an electric car, Illinois residents can also claim rebates for purchasing and installing Level 2 EV chargers, ranging from $500 to over $3,000. Scroll down to view more details for specific utility providers in IL.
Illinois Utility Rebates for Level 2 EV Chargers & Installation
City of Batavia customers can receive rebates up to $500 for installing a Level 2 electric vehicle charger. A building permit must be obtained.
City of Naperville is offering rebates for the installation of Level 2 or DC Fast EV chargers, up to $500 for home or business owners. A City of Naperville Building Permit, accompanied by a completed Residential Load Calculation Worksheet, will be required for any wiring upgrades.
Commonwealth Edison Co. (ComEd) offers rebates ranging from $1,000 to $3,750 for installing a Level 2 electric vehicle charger. If you qualify for a public assistance program, you may qualify for the full $3,750 rebate. The program offers rebates for the installation and purchase of Level 2 chargers that are “smart,” ENERGY STAR® certified, and NRTL certified.
EV Charging Rates in Illinois
Some utilities in Illinois also offer special time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates for EV drivers, designed to encourage vehicle charging during select times of the day.
Three of the state’s four public utilities offer discounted rates, helping to lower electricity bills. Plus, with Illinois’ deregulated energy market, you have the option to shop around and compare the rates offered by different energy suppliers to find the best deal for your needs.
MidAmerican Energy Co.
As a residential customer of MidAmerican Energy Co., you can enroll in the utility’s time-of-use plan and save by charging your EV at night.
The program uses a schedule with on-peak hours from 1 pm to 6 pm, off-peak hours from 10 pm to 8 am, and shoulder hours the rest of the time.
In the summer, your off-peak rate will be just $0.02 per kWh, during shoulder hours you’ll pay only $0.04 per kWh, and you’ll pay $0.13 per kWh during on-peak hours. In the winter, you’ll get a fixed rate of $0.02 per kWh around the clock.
Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois offers its customers a ChargeSmart program, which rewards bill credits for charging during the utility’s preferred charging hours, from 11 pm to 7 am. Earn $0.02 per kWh in the summer and $0.01 per kWh in the winter, plus, an additional an additional monthly bill credit of $15 for the first year in the program.
However, charging during the utility’s non-preferred hours, between 11 am to 7 pm, incurs an extra charge of $0.46 per kWh. This program encourages smarter charging habits while helping you save on your energy bills.
Commonwealth Edison Co (ComEd)
Commonwealth Edison Co. offers an hourly pricing program that can help you save on charging. With this program, your electrical rate varies from one hour to the next based on current demand.
You can save an estimated 15% on your electricity bill by charging your vehicle at night when the dynamic rate is typically lower.
Public EV Charging Stations in Illinois
Thanks to the federal NEVI program, Illinois is issuing a total of $25.3 million in grants for the development of a statewide EV charging network along interstate routes.
How Many Public EV Charging Stations Are in Illinois?
As of January 2025, Illinois has over 1,400 EV charging stations including over 1,100 Level 2 and 293 DC Fast stations. There are 65 Tesla Supercharger stations and 786 Tesla Supercharger ports in Illinois.
How Much Do Public EV Charging Stations Cost in Illinois?
Illinois EV charging costs vary from one location to another. For instance, the public charging stations installed in Oak Park, IL, cost $0.25 per kWh, while at Southern Illinois University, rates are $2 per hour for the first four hours of charging and increase to $5 per hour of charging beyond the first four hours.
Are There Free Electric Car Charging Stations in Illinois?
Yes, you can find free public EV charging stations throughout Illinois. In fact, the state is in the process of rolling out free EV charging at all of its state parks.
Where Are Public EV Charging Stations in Illinois?
You’ll tend to find more EV charging stations in Chicago and other urban areas, but you can find public charging all throughout the state. ComEd is partnering with Millennium Garages to install EV chargers at the company’s downtown parking hub, as one of the many exciting projects transforming Chicago into an EV-friendly city.
Tesla has built a Supercharger network of fast charging stations throughout the state, with locations approximately 150 miles apart along I-57 and I-74.
You can also visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (this map) to get a better idea of where EV charging stations are located in your zip code.
Home Electrification Incentives in Illinois
Illinois is offering home energy rebates funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, making $132.2 million for home efficiency rebates and $131.4 million for home electrification available for things like appliance rebates, insulation and air sealing, heat pumps for space and water heating, and upgrades to smart electrical panels necessary to enable those retrofits.
Combining EV ownership with other electrification projects, such as upgrading your home with solar panels & battery storage, or investing in a heat pump, will help you save even more while reducing your environmental impact.
In Illinois, you may qualify for home electrification incentives through your electricity provider in addition to the U.S. federal government. Scroll down to read rebate and incentive details for specific home electrification technologies.
Battery Storage
You can earn incentives worth $300/kWh of battery storage if you’re a ComEd or Ameren customer and participate in the qualifying supply plans or Ameren’s demand response program.
Additionally, the 25D Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit provides a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of new battery storage systems size 3kWh and larger.
Electrical Panels
The 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit provides a federal tax credit for electrical panel upgrades needed to complete electrification projects like heat pumps and heat pump water heaters (up to 30% of project costs, capped at $600). The 25C tax credit can be used by renters, and homeowners making upgrades to their primary or secondary home.
Qualifying electrical panels must meet the standards of the National Electric Code (NEC) and have a capacity of 200 Amps or more. This means that your new/upgraded panel must be able to serve a load of at least 200 Amps, but you don’t need 200 Amps of incoming utility service. Smart panels may qualify if they allow you to serve a load of 200 Amps.
If you’re claiming 25D for a residential solar or battery storage project and the installation required you to upgrade your main panel, you may be able to apply 25D to electrical panel costs as well.
Heat Pumps & Heat Pump Water Heaters
The 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit also applies to heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. A 30% federal tax credit is available (capped at $2,000 dollars). Eligible technologies must meet certain energy efficiency requirements.
Solar Panels
Illinois Shines provides incentives for solar projects through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits, or RECs, from distributed generation and community solar projects. You earn one REC for every megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity your solar panel system is expected to produce over 15 years. 2025 REC prices range from $55 to $180/MWh depending on system size and classification.
And don’t forget to claim the 25D Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit which provides a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems.
Recent Illinois EV Charging News
State-Funded Electric Vehicle Chargers Open in Joliet, Thousands More to Come
ComEd, Millennium Garages to install 300 EV chargers at Chicago charging hub
Frank Holten State Park among first in Illinois to have EV chargers
More than 180 EV charging ports to be built along Illinois interstates
Why Qmerit is the #1 EV Charger Installer in Illinois
With EV charger rebates and special TOU EV charging rate plans available from numerous utilities in Illinois, there’s never been a better time to make the switch to electric.
The cost savings created by adopting clean, sustainable energy are just the start of the benefits you’ll see, and by partnering with a qualified electrician who can tailor an EV charger installation to your specific needs, you can maximize these benefits even more.
As North America’s most trusted and largest network of certified EV charger installers, Qmerit is recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike. Rated #1 in customer satisfaction, our expert network has installed over 450,000 EV charging stations across the U.S. and Canada.
Discover how Qmerit is paving the way forward for residential EV charger installation and whole-home electrification solutions. Contact us today to find out how easy home electrification can be!