Fleet owners in the Chicago area and northern Illinois can now get cash back when they buy pre-owned electric vehicles.

ComEd, the area’s electric utility company, has extended its business and public-sector fleet EV rebate program to include used electric fleet vehicles and repowered battery electric vehicles as well, to help reduce the costs of transitioning to electric commercial and public sector fleets.

In a news release, the company said the extension is part of its larger investment to accelerate the equitable growth of EVs in the region.

“We want making the switch to EVs to be easy, which is why ComEd is continuing to offer more tools, resources and programs to remove barriers, like cost, from EV adoption,” senior vice president of customer operations and strategic initiatives Melissa Washington said.

“As fleet electrification continues to grow in Illinois, ComEd is now offering rebates in the same amount for customers pursuing both pre-owned EV models and new EVs, which will help support a more affordable journey for the customer and accelerate the clean air benefits of widespread fleet adoption for all of our communities.”

ComEd said its new Pre-Owned Electric Fleet Vehicle Rebate will help more commercial customers — including businesses of all sizes and public sector customers — qualify for vehicle purchase rebates ranging from $5,000-$180,000, depending on the vehicle class they are purchasing and whether the customer is located in or primarily serves a low-income or equity-investment-eligible community.

Customers must complete a rebate application within 90 days of vehicle delivery to participate in the program. Used EVs qualify for the same funding as new vehicles.

“Programs such as the newly expanded ComEd pre-owned vehicle rebates will be instrumental in expanding access to electric vehicles across the state,” said Megha Lakhchaura, EV officer for the state of Illinois. “Pre-owned EVs can be a key entry point for business and public entities to adopt electric vehicles and further benefit from fuel savings.”

Lakhchaura said getting more zero-emission fleet vehicles on the road is an essential component of reaching Illinois’ goal of putting 1 million EVs on the road by 2030, as outlined in the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Currently, about 116,000 EVs are registered in Illinois.

“As EV adoption grows in Illinois, so does the interest in certified, pre-owned EVs,” Chicago Automobile Trade Association president Jennifer Morand said. “CATA new-car dealers are committed to supporting vehicle electrification for interested consumers, and being able to offer a wide selection of pre-owned EVs that can benefit from a ComEd pre-owned electric fleet vehicle rebate is one of the many ways dealers are staying at the forefront of the EV revolution.”

More information about ComEd’s EV programs is available here.