Driving a Cleaner Illinois VW Electric Trucks Program

The Driving a Cleaner Illinois initiative, administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA), offers funding for electrification of medium- and heavy-duty freight trucks to reduce harmful emissions across specific priority areas in Illinois. This program is funded primarily through the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, which was established following Volkswagen's emissions violations to support projects that mitigate the resulting excess nitrogen oxide emissions. In this round, funding is also aligned with Illinois' broader goals under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and includes components of the U.S. EPA’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) pertains to the All-Electric Class 4-8 Local Freight Trucks Program, under which eligible businesses and government entities can apply for support to replace diesel-fueled trucks with new all-electric models. The program targets 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). It aims to reduce air pollution and improve air quality within designated priority areas of Illinois: Chicago metro, Metro-East area near St. Louis, and select downstate counties. Only trucks actively used for freight or cargo delivery and operational within these zones are eligible. Eligible applicants must own the trucks and the associated new electric charging infrastructure (if needed). Entities that lease trucks are ineligible to apply. The program requires scrapping of diesel trucks that meet eligibility criteria, including engine model years from 1992 to 2009. The replacement electric trucks must be new and of the same type and class as the diesel truck being replaced. Awards cover up to 75% of eligible costs for government applicants and 50% for non-government applicants. Charging infrastructure, if required, is covered at the same respective rates. Applicants must submit a comprehensive package including a Uniform Grant Application, General Application Form, individual truck application forms, charging infrastructure forms (if applicable), budget template, conflict of interest disclosure, and photographs of existing diesel trucks. Submission is exclusively via email, and applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. The program does not set a fixed deadline and does not offer technical assistance sessions. The Illinois EPA will review each application for administrative completeness and eligibility under GATA. A maximum of $18 million is available in this round, with up to 65 trucks anticipated for award. Award notices will be issued through the Grantee Portal and must be accepted prior to execution of the grant agreement. Post-award, grantees are required to submit quarterly progress reports and annual certifications for five years following project completion. The program is recurring but does not provide advance notice of future cycles, and applicants are encouraged to subscribe to the official listserv for updates.

Incomplete applications or incorrect forms result in denial; applications reviewed on first-come basis; be precise with truck eligibility and documentation.