Illinois panel suggests $1 increase in license plate fee

SPRINGFIELD — A state panel is suggesting a $1 increase in Illinois license plate fee to encourage usage of electric cars.

The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reported that the recommendation is included in a report forwarded to members of the Illinois General Assembly and Gov. Pat Quinn by the state's Electric Vehicle Advisory Council.

The panel suggests the money raised be used to help pay for rebates and grants for alternative fuel vehicles.

The $1 increase would bring Illinois' standard license plate renewal cost to $100 annually.

The panel was formed last year as part of a legislative initiative designed to make Illinois a center for electric vehicle use and manufacturing. The panel says its recommendations are designed to get 100,000 electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2015.