Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) administers the Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program, which is aimed at supporting mobile source electrification to improve air quality and reduce emissions. This program is funded by multiple sources, including the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA), and Illinois’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The program supports electrification initiatives such as the replacement of diesel trucks with electric alternatives and the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The focus is on projects that reduce nitrogen oxides and other harmful emissions from transportation sources, especially in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution. VW Round 9, the current open funding opportunity, provides up to $18 million in funding for the replacement of diesel-powered Class 4–8 local freight trucks with all-electric models. This round is open to entities operating within the three priority areas outlined in the Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP). The goal is to target communities most affected by diesel pollution, in line with environmental justice priorities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the total funding is exhausted, and no fixed deadline is imposed. Eligible applicants must ensure they meet pre-qualification requirements outlined under the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA). Submission requires a completed application, a Uniform Grant Budget Template, and a Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure. All documents must be scanned and emailed to epa.vwgrants@illinois.gov. Incomplete or incorrectly submitted applications will be rejected without the opportunity for correction, underscoring the importance of compliance with submission guidelines. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly listed, but the program's general objectives suggest emphasis on environmental impact, technical feasibility, and alignment with programmatic priorities. Illinois EPA provides a listserv for stakeholders to receive updates and encourages applicants to consult its dedicated pages for additional background on funding sources and guidance on application preparation. Although the NOFO does not specify award announcement dates or the performance period, prior rounds and the structure of the program suggest that awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. This funding initiative does not recur on a set calendar, but new rounds may open based on fund availability from the contributing programs. For VW Round 9, contact is centralized through the Illinois EPA’s dedicated email address, epa.vwgrants@illinois.gov. Interested applicants should consult both the Illinois EPA and GATA websites for updated NOFO materials, templates, and instructions. Given the open-ended nature of the application period, proactive submission is advised to ensure access to funding before depletion.

Read all instructions carefully; incomplete applications are rejected without the opportunity to correct deficiencies.