Universal EV Chargers to install infrastructure in Illinois
The US American charging infrastructure provider Universal EV Chargers has announced the receipt of substantial grants to accelerate the installation of EV chargers throughout Illinois.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has awarded competitive grants to deploy 176 new DC fast charging ports at 44 strategic locations across the state. These grants are part of the IEPA’s Volkswagen Mitigation Plan, utilizing funds from Volkswagen’s settlement with the United States regarding emissions violations.
IEPA states that the awarded grants represent a significant milestone for Universal EV Chargers, highlighting the company’s commitment to expanding the network of EV chargers statewide. In fact, these awards account for almost 50% of the total grants awarded in Illinois. Universal EV Chargers did not specify what the charging capacity on the fast-charging stations will be exactly, but wrote that they “feature state-of-the-art technology and robust charging capacity, enabling rapid charging.” On its website, the company writes that the DC Fast Chargers feature a “charge rate of 15-25 minutes on average,” although their biggest benefit is more likely that they are “compatible with any electric vehicle,” and quick to install.
Illinois has been attempting to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, passing legislation in 2021 that established a goal of reaching 1 million registered EVs by 2030. The state also created EV rebate programmes and charging infrastructure incentives to be administered by the IEPA. In addition, Illinois announced plans to spend $148 million installing EV charging stations along interstate corridors over the next five years as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, as well as being part of the Regional Electric Vehicle Midwest Coalition since October 2021. In terms of charging infrastructure providers, the state is not too poorly set up either, as the Dutch charging infrastructure company EVBox opened their North American headquarters in Illinois in February 2020.
“We are thrilled to receive these grants from the IEPA, recognizing our dedication to developing a comprehensive charging infrastructure across Illinois,” said Hemal Doshi, CEO at Universal EV Chargers, adding: “With these funds, we can expedite our mission of providing reliable and accessible charging solutions, making electric vehicle ownership a seamless experience for residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the state. This will also bolster our strategy to develop a nationwide corridor of fast EV chargers.”
Universal EV Chargers had also announced another charging infrastructure contract in the USA, with Texas in January of this year. There, the company was awarded $3.2 million in grants by the Texan government to install 105 charging stations at 21 locations in the state.
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