Blink Charging Co. (“Blink” or the “Company”), a leading global manufacturer, owner, operator, and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and services, has announced it has been awarded a nearly $2 million grant to own and operate EV chargers for the state of Illinois. The grant, awarded by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA), sets the stage for Blink Charging and Illinois to collaboratively help provide public charging solutions for employees, residents, and visitors.
The funding is part of the state’s “Rebuild Illinois” capital program for electric vehicle charging projects authorized under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which is also part of the Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program.
Under this grant, the Illinois EPA will fund a portion of the eligible costs associated with new, commercial-grade DC Fast Chargers and Alternating Current Level 2 charging stations for electric vehicles to be located at publicly accessible charging station locations in Illinois.
Once the project is fully in place, five locations around Illinois will cumulatively host 15 new Blink charging stations, including 10 180kW DC fast chargers and five Dual Port Level 2 stations (10 ports). Blink is providing a 30% cost share for the program.
Additionally, Blink will provide related services such as site assessment and preparation, installation, maintenance, repair, parts and supplies, warranties, and product training.
“The state of Illinois and Blink are both keenly focused on leading the electrification of transportation together,” stated Mike Battaglia, CEO-Elect at Blink Charging. “This project represents another example of Blink leveraging external capital to efficiently install, own, and operate EV charging infrastructure, and we are grateful for the state’s trust and our shared vision.”