(The Center Square) – In a state that has been striving to get more electric vehicles on the roads, an Illinois lawmaker wants to place restrictions on how consumers can buy an EV.
State Sen. Ram Villivallam’s Senate Bill 1939 would prevent future independent EV manufacturers from selling cars except through auto dealer networks.
“We want to continue to support our auto dealers to do the work that they’re doing and do it even more, especially at a time where Tesla is doing terrible,” said Villivallam, D-Chicago.
Tesla and Rivian currently sell their vehicles directly to the customer. They would not be affected by the legislation.
Critics of the legislation say consumers with fewer options will travel out of Illinois to buy an EV, generating tax revenue in other states and costing jobs in the Illinois auto industry.
Villivallam presented the legislation the same day that state officials announced that Canadian electric bus manufacturer Damera Corporation will be building a plant in the Peoria area. Officials said the company plans to make a capital investment of more than $31.5 million over four years with help from a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles agreement, enabling the company to expand to the state and create 90 full-time jobs.
“We are excited about the positive impact this partnership will have on the local economy, the creation of sustainable jobs, and the continued growth of Peoria County and the state of Illinois,” Damera CEO Roger D’Hollander said in a statement.
The last electric bus company to set up shop in Illinois didn’t fare too well. After less than two years in operation, Lion Electric near Joliet is currently auctioning off its equipment after declaring bankruptcy, despite $50 million in state tax incentives.
“This new facility delivers a tremendous boost for Illinois’ clean energy economy and our environmental leadership, too,” said Gov. J.B. Pritzker at the 2023 grand opening.
Pritzker has committed to a stated goal of 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
