Your complete guide to Illinois EV tax credits and rebates in 2025

Illinois makes going electric more affordable than many states. Between generous utility rebates and charging programs that slash your electricity costs, you can save thousands on your electric vehicle and home charging setup.

Whether you're buying your first EV or upgrading your home's electrical system to support clean energy, Illinois has programs designed to put money back in your pocket. Unfortunately, the state's main EV rebate program has exhausted its 2025 funding, but substantial savings opportunities remain through utility incentives.

We'll explain everything you need to know about Illinois’ EV incentives, from utility rebates to special charging rates that can help you save money both upfront and over the long haul.

Illinois residents can still claim the federal home EV charger incentive, but the clock is ticking. President Trump signed HR1 into law on July 4, 2025, dramatically shortening the timeline for EV credits. The EV tax credits were supposed to be available through the decade, and the home charging credit was set to last until 2032.

As of October 1, 2025, the $7,500 federal tax credit for new electric vehicles and the $4,000 credit for used electric vehicles are no longer available.

For home charging, the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit provides up to $1,000 for EV charger installations. This covers 30% of installation costs (capped at $1,000) and is available for installations through June 30, 2026, giving you more time than the vehicle credits.

Remember, this is a tax credit, not a rebate—it reduces your federal tax bill dollar-for-dollar. You'll just need enough tax liability to take advantage of it.

Installing a home EV charger transforms your EV ownership experience. Home charging costs significantly less than public DC fast chargers—that's real money back in your pocket every time you charge. Illinois utilities recognize that widespread EV adoption depends on convenient home charging, which is why they offer some of the most generous charger incentives in the Midwest.

Local EV charger rebate programs

• City of Batavia EV charger rebate: Batavia residents can receive up to $500 for installing a Level 2 electric vehicle charger. You'll just need to get a building permit before starting the installation.

• City of Naperville EV charger rebate: Naperville offers rebates up to $500 for Level 2 or DC fast EV chargers, whether you install them at home or for your business. If your installation requires electrical upgrades, you'll need a City of Naperville building permit and a completed residential load calculation worksheet.

• Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) EV charger rebate: ComEd customers can claim rebates ranging from $1,000 to $3,750 for Level 2 charger installations. If you qualify for public assistance programs, you might be eligible for the full $3,750 rebate. The program covers "smart" Level 2 chargers that are ENERGY STAR certified and NRTL certified. These smart chargers let you take advantage of time-of-use rates and track your charging costs more easily. To qualify for ComEd's EV charger rebate, you must enroll in ComEd's hourly pricing program for a minimum of three years. This requirement helps you maximize your savings by charging when electricity rates are lowest.

Illinois electrical panel upgrade incentives

Most EV chargers require a 240-volt circuit, and older homes—especially Illinois homes built before 1990—often need electrical panel upgrades to handle the additional load safely. These homes typically have 100-amp electrical panels that struggle with modern electrical demands, let alone adding a 40-amp EV charger.

The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit covers up to 30% of electrical panel upgrade costs (capped at $600) when the upgrade supports EV charging, but this credit ends for work completed after December 31, 2025.

Before installing an EV charger, have a qualified electrician assess your electrical panel's capacity. Many utility rebate programs require this assessment anyway, and it ensures your home can safely handle the additional electrical load.

Time-of-use rates and smart charging incentives

Three of Illinois' four major utilities offer special time-of-use electricity rates designed specifically for EV drivers. These programs reward you for charging when electricity demand is lower, typically overnight or during off-peak hours.

Smart EV owners charge when electricity is cheapest. In Illinois, charging during off-peak hours can cost as little as $0.02 per kWh compared to peak rates that can reach $0.46 per kWh during high-demand periods.

Illinois is building out its public charging network with federal funding and private investment. According to data from the Alternative Fuels Data Center, Florida has approximately 1,630 public charging stations statewide as of September 2025, including 4,847 public charging ports. Of those publicly available chargers, 3,071 are Level 2 stations and 1,776 are DC fast chargers.

Where to find public charging stations

Urban areas like Chicago have the highest concentration of charging stations at 326, but you'll find public charging throughout the state. Tesla has built its Supercharger network with stations approximately every 150 miles along major interstates like I-57 and I-74.

You can use the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center map to locate charging stations near your zip code.

Public charging costs

Charging costs vary significantly depending on where you plug in. For example, Oak Park charges $0.25 per kWh at their public stations, while Southern Illinois University uses a time-based pricing model: $2 per hour for the first four hours, then $5 per hour after that.

You can find free public EV charging throughout Illinois, and the state is working to install free charging stations at all state parks. This makes road trips more affordable and helps build confidence in electric vehicle ownership.

While Illinois' state EV rebate program has exhausted its 2025 funding, its utility programs still allow you to save significantly when going electric.

Start by researching which utility serves your area and what specific programs they offer. Contact your utility directly to understand available rebates and time-of-use programs. Many utilities also offer additional incentives for bundled projects, so installing an EV charger alongside electrical panel upgrades or other home electrification projects can maximize your savings.

The electric future is coming to Illinois. As an EV owner, you can be part of that transformation while keeping more money in your pocket.