Section 275.220  Fuel Cost Differential Rebate Eligibility

a)         An owner may apply for a fuel cost differential rebate, if the owner:

1)         Owns an alternate fuel vehicle that meets the requirements in Section 275.210 or 275.215 of this Subpart or owns a motor vehicle that operates on biodiesel fuel, and the vehicle is registered and operated in the State of Illinois;

2)         Has purchased an alternate fuel or domestic renewable fuel to fuel the vehicle that is more expensive to use, factoring in the reduction in energy content, as compared to using conventional fuel;

3)         Has purchased an alternate fuel or domestic renewable fuel that was used in the vehicle for at least 50% of the miles driven annually and at least 50% of fill-ups averaged throughout a calendar year.  A "fill-up" means refueling a vehicle by at least one-third of its fuel tank capacity; and

4)         Uses at least 250 gallons of alternate fuel or domestic renewable fuel in the vehicle in the calendar year for which a rebate is submitted.

b)         An owner of a vehicle approved for a rebate pursuant to Section 275.240 of this Subpart is eligible to receive the rebate for up to two more consecutive years after the year of the initial approved application, for a total of three consecutive years.  To receive the rebate in each of the three consecutive years, the eligibility requirements of subsection (a) of this Section must be met, and the owner must:

1)         Submit the documentation required pursuant to Section 275.230(a) and (d) of this Subpart for each qualifying year.  This documentation must be submitted in accordance with Section 275.230(e) of this Subpart;

2)         Continue to own the vehicle.  If the vehicle ceases to be registered to the original applicant owner, a prorated installment shall be paid to the owner or the owner's designee and the remainder of the rebate shall be canceled  [415 ILCS 120/30(c)]; and

3)         Maintain records of alternate fuel or domestic renewable fuel purchases for the applicable years.  Records must include:

A)        Receipts or invoices of bulk fuel purchases indicating the type of alternate fuel or domestic renewable fuel and the number of gallons or equivalent gallons purchased;

B)        Receipts of fuel purchases from a retail fuel operation indicating the type of alternate fuel or domestic renewable fuel and the number of gallons or equivalent gallons purchased, or other documentation acceptable to the Agency; or

C)        Bills for fuels provided through metered service that itemize the cost of the fuel for the vehicle (e.g., electricity, natural gas).

(Source:  Amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 16841, effective October 18, 2010)