National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program

The Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program Round 2 is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with funding from the Federal Highway Administration through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The NEVI Formula Program is a $5 billion initiative aimed at accelerating the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure nationwide, supporting the goal of establishing a convenient, reliable, and equitable EV charging network of 500,000 stations across the U.S. by 2030. Illinois is expected to receive approximately $148 million in NEVI funds over five years. Through the Illinois NEVI Program, IDOT seeks to install, operate, and maintain EV charging stations along the state’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs), advancing the state’s target of having 1 million EVs on the road by 2030. Round 2 of the Illinois NEVI Program offers approximately $24 million in federal funding. The grants will reimburse up to 80 percent of eligible costs for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of NEVI-compliant EV charging stations located within one mile of 20 specific eligible locations along AFCs. Eligible applicants include entities that agree to NEVI Final Rule guidelines, are the property deed holder or have proper site control documentation, and are pre-qualified through the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) portal (except Local Public Agencies). The program aims to prioritize investments that support equitable access to EV infrastructure, with a minimum of 40 percent of benefits intended to flow to Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) as aligned with the federal Justice40 initiative. Eligible costs include equipment purchase and installation, grid updates, site preparation, design and permitting, and five years of operation and maintenance expenses. Matching requirements stipulate at least a 20 percent non-federal contribution. Applicants may apply for one or multiple eligible locations but may only submit one application per location. Ineligible costs include expenses incurred before grant execution, indirect costs, unrelated construction, major grid upgrades not within reason, and double-dipping from other grant sources. Applications must be submitted via email to DOT.NEVIApplication@illinois.gov no later than 11:59 PM CT on January 31, 2025. The application package must include required forms such as a Compliance Checklist, Technical Application, Detailed Cost Proposal, Project Schedule, Utility Form, and supporting documents like proof of licensure, site schematic, and community letters of support. IDOT hosted an optional informational webinar on November 21, 2024, and will respond to applicant questions via the provided email address. A Notice of State Award is expected to be issued in March 2025, with grant agreements executed after NEPA compliance, which may take 3 to 24 months. Applications will undergo a pass/fail initial review and a merit-based scoring process focusing on project budget, site readiness, site characteristics, project team qualifications, innovation, and equity principles. High scoring applications in each eligible location will be prioritized, though IDOT retains discretion to ensure effective statewide buildout. Grantees must adhere to strict federal and state reporting requirements, including use of the Electric Vehicle Charging Analytics and Reporting Tool (EV-ChART), and submit quarterly and annual progress reports. Awardees must maintain operational uptime of at least 97 percent and comply with all federal cybersecurity, accessibility, and Buy America requirements. For further inquiries, applicants may contact Elizabeth Irvin at DOT.DriveElectric@illinois.gov. More detailed information, including program guidelines and application materials, is available on the Illinois Drive Electric website.

Submit Utility Form at least 15 business days before deadline; ensure cost estimates are realistic and justified with vendor quotes; clearly document site preparation and risk factors; provide robust cybersecurity and ADA compliance plans; strong community engagement recommended.