$25 million in Illinois grants to fund electric vehicle charging ports

Some 20 applicants have been awarded $25.1 million in Driving a Cleaner Illinois grants to fund 643 new direct-current fast-charging ports at 141 sites statewide, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The grant funding is part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan.

Victory Lane Ford received $560,000 to fund DCFC ports at its car dealerships in Carlinville and Litchfield.

Rivian Automotive received $920,000 to fund ports at shopping and retail centers in Springfield, Normal and Oak Brook, while Road Ranger received $1.6 million to fund ports at gas stations in 10 communities, including Springfield.

In Quincy, Adams Electric Cooperative was awarded $277,814 to fund a DCFC port at John Wood Community College and a port at a hotel in the city.

Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association received $320,000 to fund a port at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Among the dozens of other communities receiving ports are Lincoln, Decatur and Peoria.

“In Illinois, we’re strategically turning our vision for a clean energy future into a reality,” Pritzker said. “Thanks to recent grant awards, my administration will double the number of publicly available fast charging ports — putting us one step closer to our goal of reaching 100% clean energy by 2050.”

State EPA Director John J. Kim agreed.

“Through these grants, Illinois will increase the number of fast-charging ports by over 100%, resulting in nearly 1,000 more fast-charging ports available for Illinois’ EV motorists and visitors,” Kim said. “This is significant progress in building out EV charging infrastructure throughout Illinois, with more opportunities on the way.”

All of the grant-funded ports will be built at publicly accessible sites such as shopping centers, retail stores, gas stations and hotels.