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Driving a Cleaner Illinois
Driving a Cleaner Illinois is the Illinois EPA’s grant program developed to distribute funding for various types of mobile source electrification projects. The Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program implements funding from a variety of sources, including the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Program.
When a Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available for applicants, it is posted to this page in addition to Illinois' Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) website. Each NOFO will include the funding source and amounts, applicant and vehicle/equipment eligibility, and specific information on how and when to apply. More information about each funding source may be found below and on the respective webpages listed in the Links section below. Sign up for the Driving a Cleaner Illinois listserv to receive updates and notifications when a NOFO is available. Be advised that the Agency does not provide advance notice of the timing or types of projects of future grant announcements. If you wish to be notified of grant announcements, please sign up for the listserv below.
Current Notice of Funding Opportunities
| Program | Documents | Application Deadline | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
|
VW - Round 8 |
June 6, 2025, 5:00 pm CDT |
||
If you are having trouble opening the NOFO, please right-click the link and choose “save as,” then open the downloaded file with Acrobat Reader outside of your browser. If you would like a copy of the NOFO e-mailed to you, please email epa.vwgrants@illinois.gov
Interactive Map of Electric Charging Stations Funded by the State
Click the map screenshot below to view the interactive map of the more than 450 public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations supported/funded by the State of Illinois. This includes stations funded by the Illinois EPA’s Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI).
This map can be filtered by Level 2 vs Level 3 (DC Fast Charging) ports, site type, and more.
Red dots on the map are those that are awarded but not yet online. Green dots are those that are now online. This map is regularly updated as charging stations are opened. While this map represents the locations as they are planned, locations and project details are subject to change.
This map does not represent all public electric vehicle chargers across Illinois. To access that information through the federal government’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, click here.
Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program Funding Sources
Illinois EPA has a variety of funding sources for its Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program. These funding sources are summarized below. Please periodically check this site or sign up for the listserv for “Current Notice of Funding Opportunities” regarding open application periods for these funds and select project types.
Climate and Equitable Jobs Act
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act includes provisions to phase out carbon emissions from the energy and transportation sectors. The Illinois EPA 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 publicly-available 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.
More information may be found on our Climate and Equitable Jobs Act webpage.
Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund
The VW Environmental Mitigation Trust was established by Appendix D of the VW Settlement because of Clean Air Act violations relating to installation of “defeat devices” in certain Volkswagen diesel vehicles. Illinois’ initial allocation of funds was approximately $108 million. The funds are to be used for projects that reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in Illinois.
More information may be found on our VW Settlement webpage
Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Funds
The purpose of the DERA State Clean Diesel Grant Program is to enable participating states to support grant, rebate, and loan programs to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions. Through this program, states enter into Cooperative Agreements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for administering their allocation of DERA funds for eligible project types. This funding is provided on a federal fiscal year basis.
Current Funding Availability for Driving a Cleaner Illinois
In accordance with GATA, Illinois EPA will provide a NOFO for open application periods for its Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program. Below are summaries of currently available funding along with links to the application materials.
Driving a Cleaner Illinois - Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA)
Illinois EPA does not have a current Notice of Funding Opportunity open for Driving a Cleaner Illinois - CEJA
Driving a Cleaner Illinois - Volkswagen
VW Round 8 - Electric Trucks
Illinois EPA is accepting applications to fund a portion of the eligible costs associated with the replacement (not repower) of eligible existing and licensed on-road diesel Class 4-8 medium- and heavy-duty local freight trucks (at least 14,001 lbs. GVWR) and Class 8 port drayage trucks (at least 33,001 lbs. GVWR). Each new replacement truck must be of the same type and class as the retired truck and be a licensed on-road all-electric Class 4-8 medium- and heavy-duty local freight truck or Class 8 port drayage truck (hereinafter “all-electric trucks” or “electric trucks”) located and operated in VW Priority Area 1 (Chicago area).
The types of trucks covered under this NOFO are those used to haul and deliver freight or cargo in local areas within Priority Area 1, including delivery/box trucks, waste haulers, Class 8 port drayage trucks, landscape trucks, dump trucks, and freight/transport trucks. If the existing diesel truck to be replaced and/or the proposed new electric truck is not routinely hauling any type of freight or cargo by design or actual use, it is ineligible for this NOFO. In addition to providing funding for new all-electric trucks, Illinois EPA will also fund a portion of necessary new Level 2 or DCFC charging equipment if charging infrastructure is needed.
Applicants may find the NOFO and all application materials below and also at Illinois’ GATA webpage. Applicants must pre-qualify prior to application submission. For further information, see the GATA section below as well at the GATA webpage. Applications are due June 6, 2025 at 5:00 pm CDT. Applications should be signed, scanned and submitted to epa.vwgrants@illinois.gov by June 6, 2025 at 5:00 pm CDT.
Current Application Materials
Notice of Funding Opportunity
Uniform Grant Budget Template
Instructions for Uniform Grant Budget Template
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
If you are having trouble opening the NOFO, please right-click the link and choose “save as,” then open the downloaded file with Acrobat Reader outside of your browser. If you would like a copy of the NOFO e-mailed to you, please email epa.vwgrants@illinois.gov
Driving a Cleaner Illinois - Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)
Illinois EPA does not have a current Notice of Funding Opportunity open for Driving a Cleaner Illinois - DERA.
Webinars & Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions - DACI - VW Round 8
Frequently Asked Questions - DACI - EV Charging Round 1
Frequently Asked Questions - DACI - VW Round 5
Frequently Asked Questions - DACI - VW Round 4
VW Round 3 - Funding Summary Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions - DACI - VW Round 3 - updated August 4, 2021
Round 3 GATA Budget Template with highlights.pdf
Driving a Cleaner Illinois - Round 2 Webinar - May 16, 2019
Contacts
For Questions Regarding:
Driving a Cleaner Illinois - CEJA, please use this e-mail address: EPA.EVCharging@Illinois.gov
Driving a Cleaner Illinois - VW grants, please use this email address: epa.vwgrants@illinois.gov
Driving a Cleaner Illinois - DERA grants, please use this email address: epa.deragrants@illinois.gov.
Listserv
Please enter your email into the following listserv form if you would like to receive future updates about the Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link that you will need to click to confirm addition of your name to the list.
Documents and Links
Illinois EPA's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act page
Illinois EPA's VW Settlement page
U.S. EPA’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) page
U.S. EPA's DERA State Program Information Guide
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Grant Awards News Release
Recent Awards
| Applicant | Project | Amount | Funding Source |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Barrington Transportation Co., Inc. |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$230,625 |
VW Round 3 |
|
Huntley Consolidated School District 158 |
4 electric school bus and charging station |
$1,042,611 |
VW Round 3 |
|
River Trails School District #26 |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$288,215.25 |
VW Round 3 |
|
Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 |
2 electric school bus and charging station |
$570,348 |
VW Round 3 |
|
First Student – Lake Park High School District 108 |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$213,150.75 |
VW Round 3 |
|
First Student- Schaumburg School District 54 |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$213,150.75 |
VW Round 3 |
|
First Student – Edwardsville Community Unit District 7 |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$213,150.75 |
VW Round 3 |
|
First Student - Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$213,150.75 |
VW Round 3 |
|
Triad Community Unit School District 2 |
3 electric school bus and charging station |
$791,145.75 |
VW Round 3 |
|
Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 |
Sixty new direct-fired heaters for school buses. |
$299,392.74 |
CMAQ |
|
Triad Community Unit School District #2 |
Three all-electric school buses and the necessary charging infrastructure |
$650,000 |
VW Round 2 |
|
Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete, Inc. |
Ten new compressed natural gas concrete mixer trucks |
$607,838.65 |
DERA |
|
Pace Suburban Bus |
Six new compressed natural gas public transit buses |
$2,353,843.80 |
VW Round 1 |
|
Chicago Transit Authority |
Three new all-electric public transit buses |
$1,895,476.50 |
VW Round 1 |
|
Cook-Illinois Corp. |
Two new all-electric school buses and charging unit |
$474,146.25 |
VW Round 1 |
|
First Student, Inc. |
One new all-electric school bus and charging unit |
$241,108.50 |
VW Round 1 |
|
Metra |
Three passenger/commuter locomotives repowered with electric motors |
$14,000,000 |
VW Round 1 |
|
BP Pulse |
Gas Stations - Champaign, Forest View, Cicero, Carpentersville, West Chicago, Rosco |
$960,000 |
VW Round 4 |
|
Francis Energy |
Gas Stations/Restaurants - Beach Park, Troy, LeRoy |
$480,000 |
VW Round 4 |
|
GPM Midwest |
Gas Stations - Hartford, South Beloit, Springfield |
$480,000 |
VW Round 4 |
|
Kerry Farms |
Retail/Event Center - East Peoria, Winfield, Sauget |
$480,000 |
VW Round 4 |
|
Loves Travel Stops |
Truck Stops - Utica, Hamel, Hampshire, Williamsville, Channahon, Normal |
$960,000 |
VW Round 4 |
|
Pilot Travel Centers |
Truck Stops - Morris, Mascoutah, LaSalle, Monee, Troy, South Beloit |
$960,000 |
VW Round 4 |
|
Road Ranger |
Gas Stations - South Beloit, Hampshire, Ottawa |
$480,000 |
VW Round 4 |
|
Universal EV |
Hotels - North Aurora (2), Columbia, Champaign (5), Palatine, Waterloo, Hoffman Estates (2), Granite City (2), Rockford (3), Bensenville (2), Pontoon Beach (2), Lombard, Collinsville (2), DeKalb (2), Alton, Bolingbrook, Fairview Heights (2), Naperville (2), Caseyville (2), Ottawa, Peoria, Libertyville (2), O'Fallon, Oakbrook Terrace, Springfield, Normal, McHenry, Bloomington |
$5,880,000 |
VW Round 4 |
|
3216N Inc |
Gas Stations in Elk Grove Village Stone Park |
$320,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Adams Electric Cooperative |
Community College Hotel in Quincy (2) |
$277,814 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Amoco Food Shop Number 1 Inc |
Gas Stations in Chicago (2) |
$320,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
BP Products North America Inc |
Gas Stations - Addison, Aurora (2), Bellwood, Bloomington, Bolingbrook, Chicago (2), Crystal Lake, Des Plaines (2), Effingham (2), Elk Grove Village, Glen Ellyn, Hampshire, Huntley, Joliet (2,) Kankakee, Lake in the Hills, Lombard, McHenry, Morris, Mt. Vernon, Naperville (2), Romeoville, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park, Summit, Third Lake, Troy, Volo, West Chicago. Woodridge. Zion |
$8,320,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association |
University Hotel - Carbondale, Caterville |
$320,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Gjovik Ford |
Car Dealerships - Plano, Sandwich |
$400,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
GPM Investments LLC |
Gas Stations- Edgewood, St. Elmo |
$319,751.44 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Lanman Oil Company |
Gas Stations- Charleston, Mattoon, Tuscola |
$480,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Pilot Travel Centers LLC |
Gas Stations - Decatur, Effingham, Gilman, Marion, Marshall, Oakwood, Rochelle, Vandalia, Woodhul |
$1,440,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
PowerPort EVC LLC |
Shopping/Recreation - Ashkum, Bourbonnais |
$ 320,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Red E Charging LLC |
Gas Stations - Arcola, Atlanta, Bolingbrook, Brimfield, Chicago, Fulton, Loves Park, Marion, Peotone, Richton Park, Shorewood, Villa Park, Wilmette |
$2,079,402 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Rivian Automotive LLC |
Shopping/Retail - Normal, Oak Brook, Springfield |
$920,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Road Ranger LLC |
Gas Stations - Bourbonnais, Dixon, Grayville, Marion, Marshall, McLean, Minonk, Princeton, Rochelle, Springfield |
$1,600,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Shiner Management Group Inc |
Shopping/Retail- Guernee. Mundelein |
$320,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Universal EV LLC |
Hotels Shopping/Retail - East Peoria (2), Princeton (2), Casey, Sandoval, Salem, Granite City, Peoria, Decatur, Ottawa (5), Gilman, Marion, Lincoln, Hoffman Estates, Chillicothe, Elk Grove Village |
$2,945,292 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Victory Lane Ford Inc |
Car Dealership- Carlinville, Litchfield |
$560,000 |
EV Charging Round 1 |
|
Illini Bluff Community Unit School District 327 |
3 electric school buses and charging station |
$787,500 |
VW Round 5 |
|
First Student - Chicago Public School District 299 |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$263,990 |
VW Round 5 |
|
First Student - Indian Prairie School District 204 |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$263,990 |
VW Round 5 |
|
First Student - Edwardsville Community Unit District 7 |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$263,990 |
VW Round 5 |
|
First Student - Collinsville Community School District Unit 10 |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$263,990 |
VW Round 5 |
|
First Student - Burbank School District 111 |
1 electric school bus and charging station |
$263,990 |
VW Round 5 |
|
McLean County Community Unit School District 5 |
5 electric school buses and charging station |
$1,437,500 |
VW Round 5 |
|
Student Transportation of America - Evanston CCSD 65 |
5 electric school buses and charging station |
$1,339,067.75 |
VW Round 5 |
|
Crystal Lake District 47 |
4 electric school buses and charging station |
$1,139,650 |
VW Round 5 |
|
Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 |
3 electric school buses and charging station |
$772,500 |
VW Round 5 |
|
Triad Community Unit School District 2 |
2 electric buses and a charging station |
$767,325 |
VW Round 6 |
|
Huntley Community School District 158 |
4 electric buses and charging station |
$1,192,044 |
VW Round 6 |
|
A.M. Bus Co. (Chicago Public School District 229) |
13 electric buses and charging station |
$3,548,746.50 |
VW Round 6 |
|
Latino Express (Chicago Public School District 299) |
10 electric buses and charging station |
$2,729,805 |
VW Round 6 |
|
Cook-Illinois-Kickert School Bus Lines (Homewood-Flossmoor CHSD 233) |
4 electric school buses and charging |
$1,091,922 |
VW Round 6 |
|
Cook-Illinois-Kickert School Bus Lines (Sauk Village District 168) |
16 electric school buses and charging |
$4,367,688 |
VW Round 6 |
|
Algonquin CUSD |
Education - Algonquin (2), Carpentersville (2), Hampshire |
$440,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Blink Network, LLC |
Shopping/Retail - Arlington Heights, Chicago, Lake Zurich, Orland Park, Schaumburg |
$850,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
City of Batavia |
Municipal - Batavia (2) |
$320,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
City of Decatur |
Municipal - Decatur (4) |
$530,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
City of Evanston |
Municipal - Evanston (3) |
$150,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
City of Freeport |
Municipal - Freeport (2) |
$320,000 |
EV Charing Round 2 |
|
City of Johnston City |
Municipal - Johnston City (2) |
$320,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
City of Mattoon |
Municipal - Mattoon (3) |
$260,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Clarke Mosquito Control Products |
Commercial - St. Charles, Roselle |
$640,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Egyptian Electric Co-op |
Education - Makanda, Murphysboro (3) |
$530,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
EV Clean Charging Inc. |
Religious - Chicago (3) |
$960,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
EV Energy Group |
Shopping/Retail - Batavia, Champaign, Cicero, Crest Hill, Crystal Lake, Evergreen Park, Glendale Heights, Gurnee, Hanover Park, Homewood, Joliet, Long Grove, Marion, Matteson, Melrose Park, Montgomery, Mt. Prospect, Mt. Vernon, Springfield (2) |
$3,200,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
EVgo |
Shopping/Retail - East St. Louis |
$240,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
EVready Energy |
Taxi Lots/Car Dealers - Chicago (2), Countryside, Des Plaines (3), Naperville |
$1,576,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
First American Bio Energy Systems |
Airport Parking Lots - Chicago (5) |
$1,050,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
G.F.C.S. |
Hotel/Restaurant - Niles, Rosemont |
$480,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Golf Green Motor Sales |
Car Dealers - Glenview, Niles (2) |
$640,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
HiON EV |
Shopping/Retail - Chicago, Collinsville, Oak Park |
$690,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 |
Union Halls - Countryside, Lakemoor |
$395,960 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Kendall County |
Municipal - Yorkville (2) |
$100,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Kennedy-King College |
Education - Chicago (3) |
$200,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Kerry Farms |
Shopping/Retail - Bridgeview, Crestwood, Dolton, Freeport, Galesburg, Hodgkins, Tinley Park |
$2,240,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
M Sons |
Gas Stations - Addison, Barrington, Chicago, Niles, Vernon Hills, Wheeling |
$960,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Nediya Inc. |
Gas Station/Hotel - Chicago, Norridge |
$320,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Pilot |
Gas Stations - Alorton, Alsip, Bensenville, Bloomington, Bridgeview, East Saint Louis, Joliet, Minooka, Mt. Vernon, Pontoon Beach |
$1,600,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Power Up Plaza |
Parking Lots - Chicago (2) |
$640,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
PowerPort EVC |
Shopping/Retail/Education/Industrial - Bolingbrook, Chicago, Kankakee (3), Lemont, Lilly Lake, Manteno, Monroe Center, Morris, Naperville, Peru, Pingree Grove, South Elgin, Yorkville |
$3,230,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Red E Charging |
Gas Stations - Dongola, Metropolis, Vienna |
$480,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (dba MetroLINK) |
Shopping/Retail - East Moline (2), Moline (3), Rock Island (3) |
$1,280,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Seventeen Motors |
Car Dealers - O'Fallon (2) |
$210,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Southland Development Authority |
Municipal - Hazel Crest (2) |
$100,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Steer-Liberty Consultant |
Industrial - Chicago (2) |
$420,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Taylor Ford of Manteno |
Car Dealers - Bourbonnais, Manteno |
$320,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
The PRIDE Stores |
Shopping/Retail - St. Charles, Villa Park, Wheaton |
$480,000 |
EV Charing Round 2 |
|
Universal EV |
Hotel/Restaurant - Alsip, Alton (3), Belleville, Belvidere, Carbondale (3), Carthage, Caseyville, Centralia, Champaign (2), Chicago, Chilicothe, Collinsville (3), DeKalb, East Saint Louis, Elgin, Fairview Heights (3), Freeburg, Galva, Glen Carbon, Hanover Park, Harvard, Havana, Highland, Litchfield, Marion (3), Matteson (2) |
$10,420,312 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Veterans Energy Team |
Municipal - Joliet (2) |
$480,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Village of Bensenville |
Municipal - Bensenville (2) |
$420,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Village of Brookfield |
Municipal - Brookfield (2) |
$140,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Village of Mundelein |
Municipal - Mundelein (2) |
$320,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Village of Oak Park |
Municipal - Oak Park (2) |
$100,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Village of River Forest |
Municipal - River Forest (3) |
$370,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Village of Romeoville |
Municipal - Romeoville (2) |
$420,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Village of University Park |
Municipal - University Park (3) |
$260,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Will County |
Joliet (2) |
$100,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
WS Green, LLC |
Shopping/Retail - Wilmette (2) |
$400,000 |
EV Charging Round 2 |
|
Pace Suburban Bus |
27 electric transit buses |
$27,000,000 |
VW Round 7 |
|
Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) (on behalf of CTA) |
30 electric transit buses |
$31,255,875 |
VW Round 7 |