The ChargeReady Program, part of Ameren Illinois' Beneficial Electrification (BE) Plan, offers incentives for line extension, service extension, customer owned make ready infrastructure costs, and Level 2 and Level 3 Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers and installation, (depending on customer type) specifically for eligible Ameren customers. It integrates with ChargeSmart for optimized rates, aiming to reduce EV adoption barriers in targeted communities and support Illinois' clean energy goals.
The ChargeReady Program aims to support a diverse range of non-residential customers in their transition to EV infrastructure. To participate in the program, customers must meet ALL the following eligibility criteria:
- You meet the requirements of the facility type
- You're willing to use an ICC certified installer for the installation
- You're willing to use an ICC certified EV Partner to receive incentives
- You're enrolled in or willing to enroll in ChargeSmart (Rider EVCP) for at least 12 consecutive months
- You agree to a new service point or that all non-EVSE connected kW load will be 10% or less of total connected kW load
- Education and Transit facilities must have a new service point installed
A facility that is used solely to provide publicly accessible electric vehicle fast DC charging along major travel routes as determined by Ameren.
Additional Eligibility for Public/Corridor facilities
- Installation must have the capability to charge at least 2 vehicles simultaneously and at least 10kW of AC total output.
Incentives
- Service points may be eligible to use Ameren Supplemental line incentives towards combined line extension, service extension, and customer owned make ready infrastructure costs depending on the location within the service territory
- $300 per kW of connected EVSE load
- $500 per kW of connected EVSE load in qualifying areas (EIECLI)
A facility that is used to provide charging for vehicles, which the customer owns or leases and subsequently operates or leases for the purpose of on-road transportation.
- Service points may be eligible to use Ameren Supplemental line incentives towards combined line extension, service extension, and customer owned make ready infrastructure costs depending on the location within the service territory
- $300 per kW of connected EVSE load
- $500 per kW of connected EVSE load in qualifying areas (EIEC/LI)
A facility with one or more buildings used for Residential purposes with two or more Residential units located on the Premises.
- Service points may be eligible to use Ameren Supplemental line incentives towards combined line extension, service extension, and customer owned make ready infrastructure costs depending on the location within the service territory
- $300 per kW of connected EVSE load
- $500 per kW of connected EVSE load in qualifying areas (EIEC)
A facility that provides electric transportation services to elementary school, secondary school, junior high school, high school, junior college, college, or university for the benefit of the students.
- New service points may be eligible to use Ameren Supplemental line incentives towards combined line extension, service extension, and customer owned make ready infrastructure costs depending on the location within the service territory
- $300 per kW of connected EVSE load
- $500 per kW of connected EVSE load in qualifying areas (EIEC/LI)
- Level 2 or Level III charging equipment and wiring at the Customer's Premises, for EIEC/Low-income community up to a maximum of:
- $5,000 per Level 2 EVSE
- $25,000 for Level 3 or direct current fast charger (DCFC) EVSE
- Driver's Education vehicle rebate for EIEC/Low-income community
- $5,000 for the purchase of a new or used electric vehicle
A facility used predominantly for electric vehicle charging that provides electric transportation services to the general public.
- New service points may be eligible to use Ameren Supplemental line incentives towards combined line extension, service extension, and customer owned make ready infrastructure costs depending on the location within the service territory
- $300 per kW of connected EVSE load
- $500 per kW of connected EVSE load in qualifying areas (EIEC/LI)
- Level 2 or Level 3 charging equipment and wiring at the Customer's Premises, for EIEC/Low-income community up to a maximum of:
- $5,000 per Level 2 EVSE
- $25,000 for Level 3 or direct current fast charger (DCFC) EVSE
Ameren is committed to ensuring equitable access to EV infrastructure across our service territory. To support this goal, we offer enhanced incentives for facilities located in EIEC or LI areas. These increased benefits aim to promote EV adoption and charging infrastructure in communities that might otherwise face barriers to participation.
A facility may qualify for EIEC/LI incentives if it meets any of the following criteria:
- Resides in an Environmental Justice Community, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency
- Resides in a Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Community, as defined under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
- Resides in a Low-Income Community: U.S. Census Tracts where 51% or more of households earn less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), identified using HUD data/maps
A service point also qualifies if it is used to charge vehicles that provide 50% or more of their service in, or travel 50% or more through, eligible communities (as determined by customer information provided during the application process) Ameren provides a publicly available Eligibility Map of EIEC and LI communities on its website to support customers in identifying eligibility.
- Initiate Your Request
- Complete the Construction Services "Start a Service Request (PDF)" application form online
- Questions? Call Construction Services at 888.659.4540 or email IllinoisConstruction@ameren.com for assistance
- Submit Your Application – You can submit the completed form using any of the following methods
- IllinoisConstruction@ameren.com
- Fax: 217-424-6758
- Customer Verification: Ameren Construction Services will verify if you're an existing customer. If not, they’ll guide you through the new customer setup process.
- Site Evaluation: Construction Services may assign a field engineer for a site visit to assess utility-side infrastructure.
- Incentive Review: Construction Services will confirm eligibility and verify the potential qualified incentive amount.
- Select Your Electric Vehicle Partner (EVP): Choose an EVP to collaborate on project design and implementation.
- Project Design & Documentation: Complete the Ameren Load Sheet, which includes:
- Detailed project specifications
- Construction drawings
- EV questionnaire
- Incentive Approval: Ameren reviews your submission and finalizes the utility-side costs. These costs are deducted from the total incentive, and your EVP is then notified of the remaining approved amount.
- Construction & Installation: Your selected EVP builds the charging site according to program qualifications.
- Incentive Payment: After completion of the application process, the remaining incentive is paid directly to your EVP, up to the full cost of the job. If any balance remains after the incentive is applied, you, as the customer, are responsible for covering the difference.