The Illinois Electric Vehicle Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator (RAA) Program is a state-administered initiative supported by federal funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), specifically as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The NEVI initiative designates $5 billion for the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, with 10 percent allocated to improve charger reliability through the RAA Program. The RAA Program aims to help states establish a dependable EV charging network, supporting increased adoption of EVs and contributing to Illinois’ target of placing one million EVs on the road by 2030.
This funding opportunity is managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), which received $7.1 million in federal funds in January 2024 from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The purpose of the grant is to repair or replace EV chargers that were reported as non-operational as of October 12, 2023, in the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuel Database Center. IDOT previously identified 76 eligible sites for charger upgrades and submitted a proposal in November 2023, which was subsequently approved.
The total funding available is $7,100,000, with awards ranging from $0 to $200,000 per site. Eligible applicants include private for-profit companies, site hosts, and local public agencies that own EV chargers. Up to 80 percent of eligible project costs can be covered by federal funds, with applicants required to contribute a 20 percent non-federal cost share. These funds may only be used for the specified 76 sites within Illinois and must support bringing sites into NEVI compliance, which includes installing at least four charging ports per site.
Preliminary applications are required and due by July 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM CDT. Final applications are due by August 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM CDT. Technical assistance sessions will be held on May 22, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and again on July 10, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Registration links are provided in the funding announcement. Applicants must submit their questions by July 31, 2025, via email to DOT.DriveElectric@Illinois.gov with the subject line “RAA NOFO.”
Evaluation criteria focus on the project budget, qualifications and experience of the project team, and project location. Priority will be given to proposals that closely match existing charger specifications and those that enable sites to meet NEVI standards. Consideration will also be given to projects that propose upgrades from Level 2 to DC fast chargers if grid improvements are feasible.
Interested applicants can access full application materials and additional information at: https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/environment/drive-electric/reliability-and-accessibility-accelerator--raa--program.html. Contact for the grant is Jason Lange, available at jason.lange@illinois.gov or (217) 785-2996.
