Clean Cars for Illinois

Communities in Illinois needs clean cars

Our state has a dangerous air quality problem. 

Transitioning to clean, electrified transportation is critical to cleaning up the state's air and advancing Illinois’ climate goals. The Governor wants to get more EVs on the road and the clean car standards are an effective way to get more, and more accessible, EV options in the state.

Tailpipe pollution is dangerous and harmful to the health of Illinois communities. Exposure to this pollution is not experienced equally – communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately impacted by this dangerous pollution. 

Illinois is already a leader in manufacturing zero-emission vehicles and now the Illinois Pollution Control Board has the opportunity to make sure more of the cars (and clean air benefits!) that are made here, stay here. Right now, we’re exporting the benefits of clean air to states that have adopted stronger-than-federal clean air standards.

It is estimated that adopting clean car standards in Illinois will lead to major societal benefits including:

  • $168.8 billion in state economic benefits by 2040

  • 18,212 new jobs by 2030 with wages expected to be about 50% higher than jobs that will be replaced.

  • 416-450 premature deaths and around 260,000 less pollution-related illnesses.

Savings and economic benefits from cleaner cars are expected to grow over time as EVs become more affordable and accessible. States across the country are already adopting the ACCII program, Illinois can join them as a climate leader by adopting the program in 2025

Clean vehicles are becoming more affordable

Electric vehicles are already much cheaper to maintain and fuel than gas cars. When the national average gas price spiked to around $4.30/gallon in 2022, electric vehicle (EV) owners saved between $1,800 and $2,600 for every 15,000 miles they drove. Electric rates for EV drivers that Illinois utilities offer can add to those savings. 

Sticker prices are coming down already and an expanding used market means EVs are more affordable than ever. State and federal incentives can knock thousands off the up front costs of EVs meaning many EVs are already cheaper than their fossil fuel counterparts.

Used EV prices continue to become more and more accessible with many models qualifying for the $4,000 used EV tax credit.