Illinois installing 2,000 electric vehicle fast charging ports over next 18 months

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is providing grants to organizations across the state to build electric vehicle chargers. Gov. JB Pritzker hopes to have a fast charging station every 50 miles in Illinois.

EV charging station — Gov. JB Pritzker hopes to have a fast charging station every 50 miles in Illinois.

Democratic leaders announced an ambitious goal when they passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021 - getting a million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. There are currently 119,913 EVs in Illinois, but Pritzker told reporters Monday that he hopes to see that number rise by building more public charging ports.

"Reducing air pollution from transportation is vital to a healthy future for our children and our planet," Pritzker said. "One of the focus areas for a more climate-friendly future is reducing carbon emissions from internal combustion engine cars and trucks."

The Pritzker administration will install roughly 2,000 fast charging ports over the next 18 months thanks to funding from the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and Volkswagen clean air settlement. Leaders said this will triple the number of fast chargers for Illinois drivers.

"Illinois is full of great union workers and great private sector workers who can install these things," said Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago). "We're going to install these chargers all over in every community so that when you're driving your electric car, you don't need to get it towed. Tow companies, no money for you! Alright?"

Pritzker said typical electric vehicles should be able to get a full charge within 20-30 minutes with this equipment. Although, some worry less people will buy EVs if President Donald Trump eliminates the federal tax credit for the cleaner vehicles.

"The EV industry is relatively new, but it has grown significantly," Pritzker said. "It will continue to grow with or without support from the Trump administration."

The governor noted that more people are choosing to buy electric vehicles to help the environment. Pritzker said EV companies are also lowering the price of cars so more people can move away from fossil fuels.