Published on July 22, 2026 3:45 pm
Last Updated on July 22, 2026 3:45 pm
(WEDNESDAY’S RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN CASEY)
The Illinois Department of Transportation was joined by community leaders in Casey Wednesday to cut the ribbon on the first charging station built in the state through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, with more to come soon. Additionally, IDOT announced it is awarding $23.5 million through the third round of funding in the program for 29 new projects as part of the effort to build a network of chargers along the interstate system.
Administered by IDOT using federal funds through the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, the state’s NEVI program aims to accelerate the adoption of EVs by providing the public access to past charging throughout the state, in communications and along interstates, scenic byways. The program is part of a series of comprehensive initiatives to achieve the state’s goal of becoming a leader in manufacturing and deploying electric vehicles.
In Casey, the first chargers through NEVI in Illinois were electrified last week at the Mach 1 station on Illinois 49 near Interstate 70. The project built four DC fast chargers, made possible through a $854,641 competitive grant to Phillips 66, in collaboration with Meyer Oil and Electrify America. Additional station locations will continue coming online this summer.
The $23.5 million in the latest round of grants represents Round 3 of NEVI funding in Illinois and will facilitate the construction of 140 new charging ports. Each of the 29 locations will have at least four DC fast charging ports to fully charge a typical EV from empty in less than 30 minutes.
