For Immediate Release – November 2, 2026
Illinois EPA Launches Clean Trucks Program
The State is seeking firms for the Northern and Southern Region Clean Fleet and Freight Concierge Service with contracts worth an estimated $3 million and posted $935,000 in grants for fleet operators
Springfield – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) today announced the launch of its Clean Trucks Program to help Illinois fleets transition to zero-emission vehicles to reduce their fuel costs and build a cleaner, more resilient freight system.
“Illinois EPA is committed to giving our state’s fleet operators the tools, guidance, and financial assistance they need to meet their logistical objectives while furthering the state’s climate goals,” said Illinois EPA Director James Jennings. “The Clean Trucks Program will provide individualized support to fleets that may be interested in transitioning from diesel to electric but aren’t sure where to start. With this program, Illinois EPA will help ensure that every fleet operator, regardless of size, has access to credible information and technical assistance to help them lower emissions, reduce fuel costs, and strengthen Illinois’ clean transportation future.”
Part of the broader Driving a Cleaner Illinois initiative, the Illinois Clean Trucks Program launches with two major initiatives to serve Illinois fleet operators: $3 million for the new Clean Fleet and Freight Concierge Service and $935,000 in Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding designed to directly help fleet operators replace older diesel vehicles with new, zero-emission alternatives. Together, these investments mark the beginning of Illinois EPA’s concentrated efforts to pair hands on, fleet-specific information with meaningful financial incentives to address the upfront costs of electrification.
In 2024, the Illinois EPA received federal funding from the U.S. EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Program to support zero emission commercial vehicle and infrastructure deployment across Illinois. The $3 million Clean Fleet and Freight Concierge Service effort is one of several transportation focused CPRG tasks designed to accelerate electrification, reduce harmful air pollutants, and coordinate clean transportation planning statewide. The Illinois EPA is seeking qualified firms to launch the Concierge Service and support small to medium sized fleets across the Northern and Southern Regions of Illinois (defined as the regions served primarily by the PJM and MISO utility grids). The Concierge will support Illinois fleets as they explore the opportunities presented by electric vehicles and the vehicles’ associated charging infrastructure.
At the same time, a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted to the State’s Driving a Cleaner Illinois webpage, announcing that $935,220 has been made available to help Illinois fleet operators cover up to 45% of the costs associated with replacing eligible diesel-powered Class 5-8 trucks with new, battery-electric options. The State DERA Program enables participating states to support grant, rebate, and loan programs to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions. Once deployed, these funds will help Illinois fleets reduce local air pollution and insulate their operations from the increasingly volatile and unpredictable price of diesel fuel.
For more information about these and other Illinois’ funding opportunities, visit the Driving a Cleaner Illinois webpage, the CPRG Program webpage or contact the Driving a Cleaner Illinois team at epa.deragrants@illinois.gov.
The Illinois EPA was created in 1970 as part of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, making it the longest-standing environmental protection agency in the United States. The mission of the Illinois EPA is to safeguard environmental quality, consistent with the social and economic needs of the State of Illinois, so as to protect health, welfare, property, and the quality of life. For more information, visit the Illinois EPA’s website at https://epa.illinois.gov/.
