This week, Senator Heather Steans advanced legislation through the Senate enabling the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to create a grant program for the purchase of electric vehicles by not-for-profit car-sharing organizations.

Currently, the Illinois EPA administers an Alternate Fuels Rebate Program that offers rebates to individuals, businesses, local governments and organizations that purchase an alternate fueled vehicle. Vehicles included in this program include vehicles powered by E-85, biodiesel, natural gas, propane, electricity and hydrogen. Steans' legislation, Senate Bill 1615, expands the Alternate Fuels Rebate Program to include a grant program for car-sharing organizations for up to 25% of the cost of new electric vehicles.

"This legislation will aid organizations, such as the I-Go Car Sharing organization in Chicago, in purchasing electric vehicles," Steans said. "Although electric vehicle prices have dropped dramatically since their inception, the cost of purchasing electric vehicles remains higher than traditional gasoline powered vehicles. Assisting organizations who are eager to embrace this new technology will ensure we are doing our part to move Illinois towards a future of environmentally friendly automobiles."

"The program created by this bill will help jumpstart the marketplace in Illinois for this exciting new technology as electric vehicles start to come on the market," said Sharon Feigon, CEO of I-GO Car Sharing.

The I-Go Car Sharing organization in Chicago has united with the City of Chicago to begin building powering stations for electric vehicles. When complete, I-Go plans to build 18 solar canopies that will power these vehicles.

Senate Bill 1615 passed the Senate by a 54-0 vote and now heads to the Illinois House for further debate.