Illinois residents can get up to $4,000 back for electric vehicle purchases

Residents of Illinois can apply for refunds of up to $4,000 when they buy new or used electric vehicles.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began accepting applications on August 1, 2026, and will continue through December 31, allocating $14 million to the program. Applicants must meet income and administrative requirements and submit their request within 180 days of purchasing a vehicle. The amount of the refund depends on the buyer’s income and the type of vehicle.

People with low incomes who purchase a new or used fully electric car can receive $4,000. Eligible residents who do not meet low-income criteria can get $2,000 for an electric car. Those buying qualifying electric motorcycles may receive $1,500. To qualify for a low-income refund, a household’s income must be at or below 80% of the regional or county median income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

To apply, people must provide a signed purchase agreement, proof of payment, a vehicle registration, and a W-9 or W-8 form. The EPA will prioritize applications from low-income individuals and then process others in the order they were received, as long as funds remain. As of October 16, 2026, the agency had received 599 low-income applications, approving 492 of them, and 491 applications from other applicants, with no payments yet reported for that group.