Driving a Cleaner Illinois - Climate and Equitable Jobs Act EV Charging Round 3 Grant

Driving a Cleaner Illinois - Climate and Equitable Jobs Act EV Charging Round 3 Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Amount: Up to US $20,000,000
Last Updated: February 02, 2026

Summary

The Illinois EPA is inviting applications for funding under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act for electric vehicle charging projects. This initiative supports the installation of new Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) and Level 2 charging stations at publicly accessible locations throughout Illinois. Projects will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis, with a minimum application score of 50 required for funding. Additional consideration is given to projects in Equity Investment Eligible Communities.

Overview

The mission of the Illinois EPA is to safeguard environmental quality, consistent with the social and economic needs of the State of Illinois, so as to protect health, welfare, property, and the quality of life. The Illinois EPA works to safeguard natural resources from pollution to provide a healthy environment. By partnering with businesses, local governments, and the public, the Illinois EPA is dedicated to continued protection of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we live on. Driving a Cleaner Illinois - Climate and Equitable Jobs Act EV Charging Round 3 Description This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to inform potential applicants of the availability of funds from the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan for electric vehicle charging projects authorized under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act as part of the Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program. Under this NOFO, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) will fund a portion of the eligible costs associated with new, commercial-grade Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC, also known as level 3) and Alternating Current level 2 charging stations for electric vehicles, to be located at publicly accessible charging station locations in Illinois. This program funds the construction of electric vehicle chargers at public locations across the state. Chargers must be available to the public 24/7. Additional funding will be awarded to projects located in Equity Investment Eligible Communities. Projects will be scored as they are submitted on a first-come, first-served basis, with a minimum score of 50 required for a project to be funded. Applications will be accepted until funding is depleted. The following project-related components are eligible for reimbursement: New, commercial-grade DCFC and/or level 2 charging station(s), including network hardware and softwareUtility equipment interconnections and upgrades, such as transformers and utility extensions, conduit, cable/wiring, and electrical service box disconnectsNecessary concrete or paved asphalt addition or replacement at the parking spaces where there is currently none or existing spaces are in poor conditionSignage and lighting at the charging station locationItems installed for collision protection such as: bollards, wheel stops, curb protection, or wall-mounted barriersPaint striping and stenciling of the charging station location parking spacesCharging station installation labor (electrical, trenching, etc.)Project-related build-at-risk or pre-award costs incurred post-publication of this NOFO that are eligible costs and are directly in anticipation of receiving an award, where such costs are necessary for efficient and timely performance of the project. (Such costs are allowable only to the extent that they would have been allowable if incurred after the date of an award).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible Applicants: Small Businesses, Government Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, For-Profit OrganizationsAn entity may not apply for a grant until the entity has registered and pre-qualified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal,An eligible applicant for this NOFO is either 1) a Local Public Agency, which is a governmental body or any formally created subunit of one or more governmental bodies located in Illinois, including metropolitan or regional transportation planning organizations; or 2) a private organization or company, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company that is incorporated under Illinois law or registered and in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, ANDAn eligible applicant for this NOFO must be an owner of a proposed charging station location and/or an owner of the proposed charging station. For an applicant that is not the owner of a proposed charging station location, the applicant must include in their application an executed Site Host Agreement or a signed Memorandum of Understanding stipulating the location’s owner supports the application and commits to negotiate a Site Host Agreement if the application is funded.