Trump Revokes EV Mandates, Illinois Presses Ahead

As Illinois ramps up its electric vehicle (EV) rebate program, the national policy landscape is shifting under President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump has signed an executive order canceling former President Joe Biden’s goal of making EVs 50% of new car sales by 2030 and rolling back federal emission regulations.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that up to $14 million has been allocated by the General Assembly to fund the Illinois Electric Vehicle Rebate Program for the current fiscal year. Pritzker described the program, launched under the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, as a way to make EV ownership more affordable and accessible. The governor aims to see 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030.

At the federal level, Trump’s executive order revokes unspent funds designated for EV charging infrastructure and scales back emissions rules that incentivized automakers to increase production of zero-emission vehicles. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Trump criticized the push for EV adoption, calling it a “Green New Scam” and reaffirming his commitment to consumer choice. “We’re going to let people buy the car they want to buy,” Trump said.

Despite efforts in states like Illinois, challenges persist. Ryan McKinnon of Charge Ahead Partnership, a coalition advocating for EV infrastructure, acknowledged that charging stations remain sparse, difficult to locate, and often unreliable. These gaps are a significant obstacle to widespread EV adoption, particularly in rural areas.

Meanwhile, the EV market continues to grow, with U.S. sales reaching 1.3 million vehicles last year. However, this represents just 8% of total new passenger vehicle sales, according to Cox Automotive. Debate over federal mandates and emissions rules is expected to continue, likely leading to legal battles over the future of vehicle choice.

Industry voices such as Chet Thompson, president of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, praised Trump’s actions, asserting that leadership from the Trump administration is critical to preserving consumer choice and supporting traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and liquid fuels.

The clash between state initiatives and federal policy highlights a broader battle over the future of energy, transportation, and consumer freedom.

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