Section 1.4540  Gas Mileage and Flex-Fuel Requirements

a)         Specifications for new passenger automobile specifications shall require compliance with minimum gas mileage requirements established in Section 45-40 of the Code. As used in this Section, passenger automobile does not include station wagons, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), crossovers, vans (including mini-vans), 4-wheel drive (including all wheel drive (AWD)) vehicles, emergency vehicles, and police or fire vehicles. Passenger automobiles must achieve at least the minimum average fuel economy in miles per gallon imposed upon manufacturers of vehicles under Title V of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act (15 USC 2001).

b)         All gasoline-powered vehicles purchased from State funds must be flexible fuel vehicles or fuel efficient hybrid vehicles.  Any vehicle purchased from State funds that is fueled by diesel fuel shall be certified by the manufacturer to run on 5% biodiesel (B5) fuel. [30 ILCS 500/25-75]  Station wagons, SUVs, crossovers, vans (including mini-vans), 4-wheel drive (including AWD) vehicles, emergency vehicles, and police and fire vehicles are not exempt.

1)         Flexible fuel vehicles are automobiles or light trucks that operate on either gasoline or E-85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) fuel.

2)         Fuel efficient hybrid vehicles are automobiles or light trucks that use a gasoline or diesel engine and an electric motor to power and gain a minimum of 20% increase in combined USEPA city/highway fuel economy over an equivalent or most-similar conventionally-powered model.

c)         Beginning January 1, 2016, 25% of all vehicles purchased with State funds shall be vehicles fueled by electricity, compressed natural gas, liquid petroleum gas, or liquid natural gas.  This provision shall not apply to vehicles purchased by the Illinois Department of Corrections or the Illinois State Police.

d)         The CPO-GS or SPO may exempt a procurement from the requirements of subsections (a), (b) and (c) when a State agency demonstrates a need for a non-compliant vehicle in writing.

e)         In awarding contracts requiring the procurement of vehicles, preference may be given to an otherwise qualified bidder or offeror who will fulfill the contract through the use of vehicles powered by ethanol produced from Illinois corn or biodiesel fuels produced from Illinois soybeans. [30 ILCS 500/45-60]

f)         The CPO-GS may require use of a uniform form or format for the SPO's determination that an exemption is warranted.

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 10208, effective June 2, 2022)