Illinois Funds Up to 45% of Electric Truck Costs

Owners of class 5-8 diesel fleets in Illinois can apply for state funding to help replace older trucks with electric models.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Bold flat-color vector editorial illustration of a single electric truck cab beside a charging column on a sage concrete yard under a cream sky. — Illinois is offering up to 45 percent of replacement costs through its Clean Trucks Program to help owners of class 5-8 diesel fleets switch to electric trucks. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you consider switching a work vehicle from diesel to electric in your area?

Illinois EPA launched its Clean Trucks Program with two initiatives to help fleets replace diesel trucks with electric alternatives. A Notice of Funding Opportunity offers $935,220 to cover up to 45 percent of replacement costs for class 5-8 diesel trucks.

Why it matters

Fleet operators running older diesel trucks in Illinois may be able to offset a large share of the cost of switching to fully electric models. The state is pushing the transition through targeted funding and concierge support for small- and medium-sized fleets.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity offers $935,220 and covers up to 45 percent of costs to replace diesel-powered class 5-8 trucks with fully electric options. Separately, the Concierge Service carries $3 million and targets fleets in regions served primarily by the PJM and MISO utility grids.

The players

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

The state agency that administers the Clean Trucks Program and the diesel-to-electric fleet replacement funding in Illinois.

Trump administration

The federal administration that a Seattle district judge ruled must release withheld charging station funds in 2025.

The details

The Clean Trucks Program pairs direct replacement funding with hands-on help for fleet owners. Qualified firms are being sought to run the Concierge Service, which will support small- and medium-sized fleets in the Northern and Southern Regions of Illinois. Applications and the Notice of Funding Opportunity are available on Illinois' GATA webpage. An interactive map also shows more than 450 public electric vehicle charging stations, with filters for Level 2 and Level 3 ports and site types.

2025: A district judge in Seattle ruled that the Trump administration must release withheld charging station funds.
November 4, 2026: Illinois EPA launched the Clean Trucks Program and posted the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The Home Front

Illinois is folding its diesel truck replacement effort into a broader wave of settlement-funded freight electrification, including Volkswagen settlement money for round 9. The state's approach sits alongside the federal funding fight that a Seattle court addressed in 2025 over withheld charging station dollars.

If you operate or manage a diesel fleet, check whether your trucks fall within class 5-8 and whether the Notice of Funding Opportunity on Illinois' GATA webpage fits your replacement plans. Budget for the portion of costs not covered by the 45 percent share before committing to a purchase.

The takeaway

Fleet owners considering electrification should review the Notice of Funding Opportunity on Illinois' GATA webpage before ordering new trucks. Keep a record of your current diesel fleet's model years and classes so eligibility can be confirmed quickly.