The state of Illinois is awarding $25.1 million in grants to expand its electric vehicle infrastructure.
Electric automaker Rivian is getting $920,000 to install fast-charging EV ports in Normal, Oak Brook and Springfield. A Rivian spokesperson declined to comment on where the charging stations would be installed.
One BP service station in Bloomington and Road Ranger stations in McLean and Minonk are also getting state funding to install EV charging stations. BP Products North America was the largest recipient of the funding at $8.3 million to set up charging stations at 38 of its locations.
Universal EV is getting $2.9 million to set up charging stations at 21 locations, including Lincoln, Peoria and East Peoria.
The funding will go to more than 140 service stations and retail outlets across the state.
“Through these grants, Illinois will increase the number of fast charging ports by over 100 percent, resulting in nearly 1,000 more fast charging ports available for Illinois’ EV motorists and visitors,” Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director John Kim said.
Gov. JB Pritzker says it's part of the state's goal to reach 100% clean energy by 2050. The funding comes from the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. In 2023, the state used $12.6 million from a settlement with Volkswagen to install more than 300 EV fast-charging ports.
