The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a $20 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to expand charging station infrastructure across the state. The application window will open Nov. 17 and be delivered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure opportunity will be delivered through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) and funded by the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan. Participants will be empowered to buy and install EV charging infrastructure at publicly accessible locations across the state. Qualifying infrastructure includes Direct Current Fast Charging (level 3) and alternating current (level 2) charging stations.
Recipients will be able to use the awards to reimburse costs incurred during construction of qualifying infrastructure. The following project-related components may be reimbursed:
- New, commercial-grade level 3 and/or level 2 charging station(s), including network hardware and software.
- Utility equipment interconnections and upgrades, including transformers and utility extensions, conduit, cable/wiring and electrical service box disconnects.
- The addition or replacement of concrete or paved asphalt at the parking spaces where there is currently none or existing spaces are in poor condition.
- Signage and lighting at the charging station location.
- Items installed for collision protection, including bollards, wheel stops, curb protection or wall-mounted barriers.
- Paint striping and stenciling of the charging station location parking spaces.
- Charging station installation labor.
- Project-related build-at-risk or pre-award costs incurred post-publication of this NOFO that are eligible costs and are directly in anticipation of receiving an award, where such costs are necessary for efficient and timely performance of the project.
Applications for level 3 chargers must feature a minimum of two charging station locations. Awards will only cover up to eight Direct Current Fast Charging ports at each location. The state is placing no limit on the number of level 2 ports at charging sites. Additional funding may also be provided to projects at sites identified as an Equity Investment Eligible Community.
To qualify, applicants must be the owner of a proposed charging station location or the proposed charging station. Recipients must achieve a minimum score to be selected based on project readiness, location, distance to public EV charging sites and location at a public transportation Park-and-Ride Facility.
Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels
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