Community Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants

Community Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Illinois Finance Authority
Amount: US $20,000 - US $1,800,000
Last Updated: April 02, 2026

Summary

The Community Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants, administered by the Illinois Finance Authority, aims to deploy over $14 million in federal funds for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This initiative focuses on expanding access to EV charging in both urban and rural communities, particularly in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Eligible applicants include government, education, and nonprofit organizations, with a requirement for a 20% cost match. The program prioritizes projects enhancing community-based infrastructure for all Illinois residents.

Overview

Community Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants Program Information Short Description The Illinois Finance Authority was awarded $14,962,506 in federal grant funds to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and other fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations, including downtown areas and local neighborhoods.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible ApplicantsGovernment Organizations; Education Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations;Applicant EligibilityOnly partners included in the Illinois Finance Authority's 2023 winning Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grant application are eligible to apply. A list of named eligible entities is available at https://www.il-fa.com/programs/cfi.Formula Matching RequirementsApplicants are required to provide a cost match of at least 20% of the total project costs.Eligible Project Costs include: 1. Costs to acquire and install on-site electric service equipment (e.g., service connection, power meter / submeter, transformer, breaker panel upgrade, and customer feeder installation) not to exceed $120,000 in reimbursable costs, though exceptions that exceed this limit will be considered on a case-by-case basis; 2. Costs of minor grid updates (work necessary to connect a charging station to the electric grid distribution network like extending power lines or upgrading existing power lines); 3. Costs to procure and install, upgrade, and/or replace existing EV charging equipment to meet NEVI minimum standards and requirements; 4. Costs to procure and install EVSE-related hardware and software; 5. Fixed operating and maintenance costs (up to five years after the charging station is commissioned) including: A. Charging equipment lease fees (if site applicant chooses lease option for charging equipment rather than purchase option). The lease costs are only eligible if paid in advance through a contract. B. Cellular network fees, internet service fees, or similar fees. C. Charger network fee; 6. Costs of engineering, design and permitting; 7. Costs for additional ports or chargers beyond the NEVI requirement of four 150kW ports per EV charging site may be considered if each additional port meets the same criteria listed for the minimum four 150kW ports in 23 CFR 680 (each additional port is capable of simultaneously charging at 150kW or greater with a CCS Type 1 connector, etc.).Example ProjectsExample projects could include publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations, such as those located at a public library, a public park, a public university, or any other public facility.

Ineligibility

Ineligible Project Costs include, but are not limited to: 1. Costs incurred prior to a fully executed grant agreement with IFA; 2. Costs not related directly to vehicle charging; 3. Costs for lobbying, or for the intervention in state, federal regulatory, or adjudicatory proceedings; 4. Costs for construction or general maintenance of building and parking facilities (if not related directly to vehicle charging); 5. Costs of major grid upgrades not within reason at the Grantor’s discretion (e.g., lengthy line extensions, bulk power transmission upgrades, or substation upgrades);6. Costs for additional ports or chargers that do not meet the same criteria listed for the minimum four 150kW ports in 23 CFR 680; 7. Costs to acquire and install on-site electric service equipment (e.g., service connection, power meter / submeter, transformer, breaker panel upgrade, and customer feeder installation) that exceed the $120,000 reimbursable cost limit for electric service equipment, though exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis; 8. Utility service upgrade costs covered by the utility; 9. Costs covered by programs or tariff rules of the electric utilities; 10. Costs for research projects; 11. Administrative costs, including overhead and indirect costs (e.g., office supplies, rent, marketing, and advertising).