|
House Bill 3125 passed the Illinois House on Thursday and would
require home builders to make new and renovated structures meet
certain wiring requirements to be able to charge electric
vehicles.
Under the measure from state Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, a
certain number of spaces would also have to be “electric vehicle
ready,” meaning they contain receptacles with the necessary
voltage to install an EV charging station.
“We should be doing everything we can to cultivate an electric
vehicle economy in this state, and this is one more way we can
do that,” said state Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside.
State Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, who notes that the
Illinois Home Builders Association and Illinois Realtors are
opposed to the legislation, believes the measure will drive up
housing costs.
“I think once again we are taking the wrong approach,” said
Butler. “I think we should be working with the EV industry to
try to find incentives like we have done in other ways like we
did with the REV Act.”
The Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act (REV Illinois
Act) offers incentives to expand or relocate to the state for
companies that manufacture EVs and EV parts, like batteries and
charging stations.
“The REV Act focused on electric vehicles and we are making it
easier for people to acquire an electric vehicle and to find a
charging station across the state,” said Gov. J.B. Pritzker in
February.
State Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, said it is another example
of government overreach by telling people how to build their
homes.
“The free market will dictate what’s needed and necessary,” said
Caulkins. “This is an example of why Illinois is not a friendly
place to come and live.”
|
|
