The Illinois Department of Transportation joined local leaders in Casey on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the first electric vehicle charging station in the state built through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program.
Located at the Mach 1 station on Illinois Route 49 near Interstate 70, the site features four DC fast chargers capable of charging most electric vehicles from empty to full in less than 30 minutes. The project was supported by an $854,641 competitive grant awarded to Phillips 66 in partnership with Meyer Oil and Electrify America.
IDOT also announced $23.5 million in third-round NEVI funding for 29 additional charging station projects across Illinois. The grants will support the installation of 140 new fast-charging ports, with each location featuring at least four DC fast chargers.
The NEVI program is funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and is designed to expand public access to fast-charging stations along Illinois interstates, scenic byways, and other travel corridors. State officials say the program is part of Illinois’ broader effort to become a national leader in electric vehicle manufacturing and infrastructure.
Additional NEVI-funded charging stations are expected to begin coming online throughout the summer.