The state of Illinois is proceeding with efforts to decarbonize commercial vehicles, specifically Class 4-8 rigs, despite the federal government's plan to eliminate tax credits.
In other words, it's now the sole responsibility of the states to continue offering these credits, if they so choose.
[Related: California challenges federal retreat on clean vehicles with stronger state action]
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is doing just that. Earlier this week, the state's EPA Acting Director James Jennings announced an $18 million Notice of Funding Opportunity to replace existing Class 4-8 medium- and heavy-duty and Class 8 port drayage diesel-powered rigs with battery-electric alternatives.
Where's the funding coming from? The state's Volkswagen Dieselgate Settlement fund.
The Driving a Cleaner Illinois – Volkswagen Electric Truck Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now open to business or government fleets operating Class 4–8 local freight or delivery trucks within the three priority areas identified in Illinois' Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP) under the Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement, as outlined in the NOFO.
Companies that lease their vehicles, however, are not eligible for funding.
Priority Area 1 includes Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, as well as Oswego Township in Kendall County and Aux Sable and Goose Lake townships in Grundy County. Priority Area 2 covers Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties. Priority Area 3 consists of Champaign, DeKalb, LaSalle, McLean, Peoria, Sangamon, and Winnebago counties.
The Illinois EPA expects the program to fund up to 65 electric trucks. Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all available Volkswagen settlement funds are exhausted. There are no limits on the funding amount per truck, for charging equipment, or on the total number of trucks for which funding may be requested.
