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
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
Illinois EPA does not have a current Notice of Funding Opportunity open for Driving a Cleaner Illinois - VW
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 - 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