EV plates (Illinois)

[eCharcoal]

I think the days of getting a "discount" on the "EL" plates versus the normal plates are numbered. Given the discussions on raising the motor fuel tax, the thieves running the state, will not overlook another potential source of $.

That's the only incentive IL state has for EV vehicles and that will be gone too soon.

Sad but true. I wonder if they will just cancel the EL plate altogether since it will serve no purpose. And now even Tesla is not getting EL plates for new owners. I’ve been seeing a lot of new Teslas with regular plates lately.
I like my EL plate. It’s unique.

 

[goowakj]

So we have to pay the original plate cost and then the additional EV plate cost of 47 for two years? Is there a refund for the regular plate cost?

 

[TomServo]

Aren't there more "vanity" options with the standard plates?

 

[Illini]

I got the instructions from here:

Electric Vehicle License Plates

I mailed in my Affirmation for Electric Vehicle which I printed and filled out, the VSD 190 which I got from my delivery specialist, a tax receipt which my delivery specialist also sent me that proves I paid sales tax on my car, and a check for $35. I got a letter back after a few weeks asking for $47 instead, not sure why but I went ahead and sent them a new check.

I got my plates about 3 weeks after that.

Thanks Kayleia for the details, I also found some more details calling dmv and talking to the dealer rep. As you had mentioned, the IL-SoS have got more greedy for multiple fees so they changed the policy to first issue regular passenger plates for the electric vehicles too and then the owner needs to apply for a change to get the EL plates and pay fees as per the Electric Vehicle License Plates

$29 replacement fee + December 15 thru June 14 of the second year - $18 registration fee
= $47

With this the current registration which is valid till Mar/31/2020 (assuming one got the first passenger plates on Mar/2019) it will be changed to EL plates which will be valid until Dec/31/2019), and need to pay $35 in Dec to extend for next 2 years provided the senate bill eCharcoal mentioned above does not pass senate or gets vetoed by our great Governor.

Thank you both. The IL SOS website was not clear at all. I recieved regular plates yesterday. I have emailed my delivery specialist to get the VSD 190 and proof of paying taxes and now know what to do to get the ev plates.

 

[goowakj]

All these EV plates are expiring at the end of this year correct?

 

[j5555]

Pretty sure all are valid until 12/19. Have not seen any with a different sticker date.

 

[ordel]

On the good news front, there is a bill in the IL House of Reps that would eliminate the front plate requirement. May have legs, as proponents claim it will save the state money in printing 2 plates for each car.

 

[daviddavid]

On the good news front, there is a bill in the IL House of Reps that would eliminate the front plate requirement. May have legs, as proponents claim it will save the state money in printing 2 plates for each car.

I heard it may die because the Tollway is claiming they will lose millions in uncollected fees if the front plates are not there. Would love to get rid of my front plate!

 

[sodepop]

Hi. So I'm not a Tesla owner (sorry), but I have an electric vehicle. I also just received my plates today finally. Yay. And they are EL. However, I noticed that in bottom left corner of my registration, it says "renewal fee due $113". Somebody posted about this in an older reply, but never found an answer. I also searched all around. Anybody know why it says this???

 

[jgillispie]

I heard it may die because the Tollway is claiming they will lose millions in uncollected fees if the front plates are not there. Would love to get rid of my front plate!

What's the reasoning listed? That the windshield mounted ones aren't accurate enough?

I just when thru Indiana and all their tolls have signs up to mount your device on the windshield. Twice it didn't work and I had to use the buzzer or switch lanes. Haven't had any problem with the Illinois readers not working on the windshield though.

 

[daviddavid]

What's the reasoning listed? That the windshield mounted ones aren't accurate enough?

I just when thru Indiana and all their tolls have signs up to mount your device on the windshield. Twice it didn't work and I had to use the buzzer or switch lanes. Haven't had any problem with the Illinois readers not working on the windshield though.

I think the issue is more related to them trying to read the plates when they don't get a signal. If they only have the back plate they will by default not know who is liable.

 

[Illini]

TL/DR: Your local DMV can submit all the necessary documentation for the EL plates for you, you just need to pay the fee.

I want to provide an update and some clarification. You can indeed apply for the EL plates at your local DMV if you already have regular passenger plates. You just need to bring your current registration and checkbook. I was able to successfully apply for EL plates at my local DMV in Champaign. They had me fill out the Electric Vehicle affirmation and then they had me write a check for $47. The DMV employee filled out what she referred to as a "Blue and White" form for me. This form is used instead of the VSD 190 and proof of sales tax that you would send if you were filing yourself.

 

[braoudap]

For what it's worth ... Just bought my first Tesla (pre-owned) a few weeks ago. I told the car dealer that I wanted to keep my own vanity plates from my trade-in because they have sentimental value to me. He said that was not possible. Said I'd have to get EV plates. I told him I didn't want EV plates, and he said I had no option, that I HAD to go with EV plates. I told him no one was going to force me to take plates I don't want. He said he'd look into it. I drove away with the temp plates, but within two days, he called me and said that after taking to the folks in Springfield, he was given the OK to allow me to keep my previous plates. I just had to sign one simple piece of paper. I am now driving around with my own non EV vanity plates. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do it!

 

[ssheth74]

It looks like the $35 for 2 year registration fee for EVs will be gone soon. Better get your plate while you can.

Senate bill would raise state gas tax by 19 cents per gallon to fund road and bridge repairs

Sandoval’s bill would increase the passenger vehicle registration fee to $148 from $98, and the electric vehicle fee to $148 from $17.50. Most driver’s license fees would increase to $60 from $30, while truck registration fees would rise by $100.

Latest amendment filed on this bill by Sandoval raises the EV fee to $1000 per year not $148 ... Tesla really needs to start some lobbying effort in Illinois to make sure that this does not go thru with this crazy fee. I think that would make it easily most expensive license fee in the country...

[1] Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB3233
[2] Group touts plan to raise gas tax, fees for road and bridge projects

 

[GeoX750]

$1000 per year to drive an EV in Illinois ? WTF, that is nuts.

Thanks for raising this.

 

[Illini]

Latest amendment filed on this bill by Sandoval raises the EV fee to $1000 per year not $148 ... Tesla really needs to start some lobbying effort in Illinois to make sure that this does not go thru with this crazy fee. I think that would make it easily most expensive license fee in the country...

[1] Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB3233
[2] Group touts plan to raise gas tax, fees for road and bridge projects

Wow. That is ridiculous.

 

[ethantang]

is it still worth to get the EV plate now that they are raising it to 248 a year?

 

[GeoX750]

is it still worth to get the EV plate now that they are raising it to 248 a year?

Is it an option to switch to regular plates from EV plates?

 

[eCharcoal]

They’re raising the annual registration fee to $148/year for all passenger cars. If I understand correctly, we’ll need to pay the $100/year EV tax as long as we own an EV? Regardless of what plates we have.
I’ve been living in Illinois all my life and love it here but they tax me to death in everything.

 

[midwestLemur]

This penalty got passed because it was tied up with a bunch of other fees. Hopefully it won't take too long for someone to introduce legislation specifically intended to incentivize people to drive electric cars. The fee doesn't have to go back to $35 for two years, but $250 a year is still ridiculous.