Illinois’ EV coordinator acknowledges battery disposal ‘a problem’

(The Center Square) – With a new electric vehicle rebate program set to open Wednesday in Illinois, some have questioned the taxpayer cost of the growing industry.

During last week’s Senate Executive Appointments Committee, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Electric Vehicle Coordinator Megha Lakhchaura said $12 million in taxpayer funding will be available in rebates beginning Nov. 1. For the first round that ended costing taxpayers $20 million, she assured the focus was first on low income applicants.

“Last year, we had up to 4,800 rebates that we handed out, 530 were low income applicants,” Lakhchaura said. “And we didn’t give out a single rebate until we gave out the low income applicants.”

State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, questioned the taxpayer expense for an industry expecting natural growth.

“It’s a phenomenal industry, a phenomenal technology, phenomenal vehicles and if the growth is just going to continue, maybe we should reallocate our limited resources in better ways,” Plummer said.

- Advertisement -

Analysis done by The Center Square of the state’s first round of rebates found of nearly 4,900 vehicles, nearly 300 were luxury models costing up to $125,000.

Lakhchaura was approved by the Senate last week to be the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s electrical vehicle coordinator, getting paid $180,000 a year.

Plummer also said there are “free-rider concerns” for wear and tear on roads from EVs that combustion vehicle drivers have to cover in taxes at the gas pump.

Before being approved, Lakhchaura told Senators the state is actively working to get $148 million of federal taxpayer funds to build charging stations across the state.

“So the idea is to spend, like to cost effectively use the current money that we have to deploy as many charging stations as we possibly can so that it takes range anxiety out of people and they feel more comfortable buying electric vehicles,” Lakhchaura said.

Gov. J.B. Pritkzer has made a goal of having 1 million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030. Lakhchaura said that goal is attainable, but told state Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, there’s still a question of how to dispose of depleted batteries.

- Advertisement -

“But at the moment, there’s really no solution for what we do with these batteries,” McClure said.

“It’s a problem that the world is facing in how to grapple with it and it’s going to grow in enormities,” Lakhchaura said.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Controversial initiative bill gets mixed testimony

(The Center Square) – A Washington state bill that...

WATCH: Budget hawks react to Shapiro’s spending plan

(The Center Square) – Gov. Josh Shapiro's $51.4 billion...

Ohio’s specialized wildfire unit in California

(The Center Square) – Ohio firefighters are in California...

Louisiana sees significant gains in national education rankings

(The Center Square) − Louisiana has achieved its highest...

Advocate warns ‘lack of community care’ around Obama library in Chicago

(The Center Square) – A Black-owned concrete subcontractor tasked...

Phoenix school district’s financial woes trigger federal funding, state investigation

(The Center Square) – A Phoenix-area school district’s fate...

Idaho House passes school choice bill

(The Center Square) – The Idaho House on Friday...

U.S. business group calls for end to tariff threats

(The Center Square) – After days of high drama...

More like this
Related

Controversial initiative bill gets mixed testimony

(The Center Square) – A Washington state bill that...

WATCH: Budget hawks react to Shapiro’s spending plan

(The Center Square) – Gov. Josh Shapiro's $51.4 billion...

Ohio’s specialized wildfire unit in California

(The Center Square) – Ohio firefighters are in California...

Louisiana sees significant gains in national education rankings

(The Center Square) − Louisiana has achieved its highest...