EV Communities

The Illinois EPA has released a grant opportunity for the first $27 million tranche of $70 million in Rebuild Illinois funds authorized under CEJA set aside for the purchase and installation of new Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) light-duty electric vehicle charging stations at publicly accessible locations. Private businesses are eligible to apply for this opportunity and must be an owner of a proposed location or charging station. The Driving a Cleaner Illinois – Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) EV Charging Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and related documents are posted on the Illinois EPA website. Driving a Cleaner Illinois - Driving a Cleaner Illinois Applications must be submitted to EPA.EVCharging@Illinois.gov by 5 pm CST on December 22, 2023.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 authorizes the US EPA to offer rebates to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission (ZE) models. The 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebates process includes SAM.gov account registration, rebate application submission, review and selection by EPA, selectees will then submit purchase orders to request payment and then receive payment, which is followed by new bus delivery, existing bus replacement, and project close out. The program guidance and application process differ from prior EPA school bus rebate programs. Potential applicants are encouraged to review both the main CSB Rebates web page at https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/clean-school-bus-program-rebates as well as the 2023 Rebates Program Guide at https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-09/420b23032.pdf

The Federal Highway Administration is seeking applications for $350 million in grants to help entities including local governments to fund charging stations located no greater than one mile from Interstate exits or highway intersections along designated alternative fuel corridor. Minimum anticipated awards are $1 million. Applications are due May 30, 2023. Find out more at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cfi/.

The Illinois Finance Authority PACE Program is designed to accelerate private investment in PACE Projects affixed to existing and newly constructed commercial, industrial, non-residential agricultural, and multi-family (5 or more units) properties, in each case up to 25% of the value of the property. Eligible improvements generally include fixtures, products, systems, equipment, devices, and materials intended for energy efficiency, renewable energy, resiliency, or water use; electric vehicle charging stations are eligible improvements too. Read more.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is directed to provide funding, consistent with Illinois Commerce Commission-approved Beneficial Electrification Plans, to public and private organizations and companies to install and maintain Level 2 or Level 3 charging stations.

Up to 80% of the cost of the installation of charging stations may be funded. Additional awards may incentivize charging infrastructure in eligible communities. Applications will be posted to this page when available.

The charging infrastructure grant rule, 35 Ill. Adm. Code 285, has been published in the Illinois Register.  The rule will establish the Charging Infrastructure Grant Program as required by Public Act 102-0662, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.  Comments may be submitted on the rule until October 3, 2022.  Please see the Illinois Register for details.

On September 27, 2022, the Federal Highway Administration approved IDOT’s plan to build a reliable electric vehicle charging network throughout the state. This plan provides a framework for implementing the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, a provision of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Illinois will receive more than $148 million in federal funding from NEVI over the next five years to build out a network of public EV charging stations across the state. Successful implementation of the NEVI program will require collaboration across government agencies, the public sector and private entities. IDOT is working closely with other state agencies on important issues such as workforce development, cybersecurity and ensuring equitable deployment of charging infrastructure. IDOT is also seeking input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment manufacturers, labor unions, potential site hosts, electric utilities and municipalities. Learn more.

With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. EPA’s new Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over the next five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. The first funding opportunity for $500 million through the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates program for zero-emission and low-emission school bus rebates has closed.

Stay up to date for the next round of this program.