The Federal Highway Administration, under the Biden Administration, has granted its largest award in the second round of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program. A total of $636 million was distributed to 49 applicants, with the biggest award of $100 million going to Illinois. This significant funding aims to enhance the state's electric truck charging infrastructure, a move seen as pivotal for the Midwest's advancement in the electric vehicle sector.
In the second round of the CFI program, Illinois emerged as a key recipient. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency selected four companies—Tesla, Prologis, Gage Zero, and Pilot—to receive the award. These companies combined their efforts into a single application, demonstrating a unified commitment to advancing electric vehicle infrastructure. The awarded funds will facilitate the addition of 345 charging ports and vehicle stalls across 14 sites in Illinois, with chargers ranging from 150kW to 1MW.
Previously, the CFI program's first round distributed over $1 billion to nearly 100 applicants. However, there had been no dedicated funding for heavy or medium-duty vehicle electrification until now. Megha Lakchaura, Illinois' state EV officer, spearheaded the pursuit of CFI funding after witnessing infrastructure startup TeraWatt and New Mexico's Department of Transportation secure a $63 million award. Tesla and its partners quietly supported the Illinois EPA's application, initially requesting $126 million in funding. Despite receiving slightly less than requested, the partners have committed to contributing $43.5 million towards the project.
“Most of the development has happened on the coasts, and there’s nothing really happening in the Midwest, which is not great for long haul trucking,” – Megha Lakchaura
Illinois has been proactive in building fast-charging stations for passenger vehicles using a mix of state and federal funding. However, this recent award marks a significant step forward in accommodating heavy and medium-duty electric vehicles. The state's strategic location and new infrastructure could play a crucial role in supporting long-haul trucking routes across the Midwest.
“We think that this hub could be of national importance.” – Megha Lakchaura
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