Universal EV Chargers, an American provider of charging infrastructure, has revealed that it has secured significant grants to speed up the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) chargers across Illinois.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has granted competitive funding to deploy 176 new DC fast charging ports at 44 strategically chosen locations across the state.

These grants are part of the IEPA’s Volkswagen Mitigation Plan, which utilizes funds from Volkswagen’s settlement with the United States over emissions violations.

The IEPA asserts that these awarded grants mark a notable achievement for Universal EV Chargers, showcasing the company’s dedication to expanding the statewide network of EV chargers.

In fact, these awards make up almost 50% of the total grants given in Illinois.

While Universal EV Chargers did not specify the exact charging capacity of the fast-charging stations, they did mention that the stations incorporate cutting-edge technology and robust charging capability, enabling swift charging.

On their official website, the company notes that the DC Fast Chargers have an average charge rate of 15-25 minutes.

However, their primary advantage likely lies in their compatibility with any electric vehicle and their quick installation process.

Illinois has been actively working to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, enacting legislation in 2021 with the aim of having 1 million registered EVs by 2030.

The state has also introduced EV rebate programs and charging infrastructure incentives, administered by the IEPA.

Furthermore, Illinois has announced plans to invest $148 million in installing EV charging stations along interstate corridors over the next five years as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

Additionally, the state has been a member of the Regional Electric Vehicle Midwest Coalition since October 2021.

In terms of charging infrastructure providers, the state is well-positioned, as the Dutch charging infrastructure company EVBox established its North American headquarters in Illinois in February 2020.

Hemal Doshi, CEO at Universal EV Chargers, stated, «We are excited to receive these grants from the IEPA, which recognize our commitment to establishing a comprehensive charging infrastructure across Illinois.»

Doshi also added, «With this funding, we can expedite our mission of delivering reliable and accessible charging solutions, making electric vehicle ownership a seamless experience for residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the state. This will also reinforce our strategy to create a nationwide network of fast EV chargers.»

Universal EV Chargers had previously secured another charging infrastructure contract in the USA, this time in Texas, in January of this year.

The company was granted $3.2 million in grants by the Texan government to install 105 charging stations at 21 locations within the state.