Daily EV news · US · 22 July 2026
EV Charging
Illinois opens first NEVI-funded charging station and awards $23.5 million for 29 new projects
The Illinois Department of Transportation cut the ribbon on 22 July 2026 on the state's first charging station built through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, a four-port DC fast-charging site in Casey funded by an $854,641 grant to Phillips 66, Meyer Oil and Electrify America. IDOT simultaneously announced $23.5 million in Round 3 NEVI awards for 29 additional projects along interstate corridors, with more stations expected online this summer.
Why it matters
The Casey opening marks Illinois's first delivery under the federal NEVI programme, signalling procurement momentum for CPOs and contractors bidding on the 29 newly funded sites. The Phillips 66 partnership model and sub-$1 million grant size offer a template for future interstate corridor builds in the state.
Connecticut regulator selects AmpUp managed charging pilot for statewide rollout after 1,000 chargepoint trial
The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has chosen AmpUp's Adapt & Earn managed charging project for statewide deployment, following an 18 month pilot with Eversource Energy that enrolled over 1,000 chargepoints across 200 locations. The pilot shifted charging off peak during a regional heatwave when wholesale electricity prices spiked more than 3,600%, at roughly a third of the cost of peak supply. Driver acceptance was high, with 91% reporting zero inconvenience during charge pauses and 83% willing to participate again, while multifamily housing sites achieved a 33% driver participation rate.
Why it matters
The statewide scale up signals regulatory confidence in managed charging as a grid tool and opens a procurement pathway for utilities and site hosts across Connecticut to deploy demand response capable infrastructure. The pilot's 100% site host enrolment and strong driver engagement metrics provide a reference case for CPOs evaluating managed charging business models in shared and public settings.
Policy & Market
US National Science Foundation awards $160 million to develop domestic critical minerals supply chain for batteries
The US National Science Foundation has selected the Critical Materials Crossroads Engine, led by the University of Missouri–Kansas City, to receive up to $160 million to build a regional ecosystem for producing metals and advanced materials used in batteries, semiconductors, aircraft parts and medical devices. Battery manufacturer EaglePicher Technologies will partner in developing and commercialising domestically produced battery materials, addressing US reliance on imports and China's dominance of global critical materials supply chains. The programme aims to rebuild American workforce, infrastructure and manufacturing capacity for critical materials production across transportation, energy, communication and national security sectors.
Why it matters
Domestic critical minerals production directly affects the cost, security and speed of EV battery supply chains, potentially reducing procurement risks and lead times for charging infrastructure projects that depend on stable battery storage and grid equipment. A stronger US materials base may also lower costs for energy storage systems that support fast charging hubs and grid services.