Beneficial Electrification Plan 1 delivered expanded EV access, meaningful community investments, and significant customer participation across residential, commercial, and fleet programs
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (April 1, 2026) – Participation in electric transportation programs across downstate Illinois increased significantly from 2023 to 2025 under the Beneficial Electrification Plan 1 administered by Ameren Illinois. Expanded off‑peak charging incentives, increased access to public charging infrastructure, and the electrification of commercial vehicle fleets helped consumers, businesses and communities adopt clean energy technologies throughout the Ameren Illinois service territory.
Authorized under the state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Ameren Illinois facilitated distribution of customer-funded incentives to increase adoption of transportation electrification programs in the residential and commercial sectors.
“Beneficial electrification is creating new opportunities for customers and communities in Downstate Illinois," said Andrew Parker, director of clean energy transition for Ameren Illinois. “Over the past three years, Ameren Illinois and our partners have made significant strides in advancing Illinois' clean energy future."
EV Charging Programs
One of the most notable accomplishments of the Ameren Illinois plan was the rapid expansion of EV charging participation across residential and non‑residential programs:
Ameren Illinois continued to accelerate the development of public charging access in both urban and rural regions. The company more than tripled its pipeline of public charging projects, growing from 52 projects at the end of 2024 to 179 projects under development by the close of 2025. These investments support local governments, transit agencies and community organizations working to expand transportation options, attract economic activity and increase charging convenience for EV drivers across the state.
Community Engagement and Consultation Program
Through its Community Engagement and Consultation Program, Ameren Illinois strengthened direct engagement with communities that historically have had limited access to clean energy resources. The company delivered 80 transportation electrification plans tailored to local needs and priorities. Through this program, Ameren Illinois distributed $2.225 million in financial assistance to EIE communities, helping reduce planning and implementation barriers for local governments.
Fleet Assessment Program
As commercial and public agencies explore the advantages of electrified fleets, Ameren Illinois helped organizations of all sizes evaluate their fleets and provided clear, data‑driven guidance on return on investment, conversion options and electrification feasibility. In total, 55 fleet assessments were completed. The program increasingly served small fleets, shifting from an average assessed size of 160 vehicles in 2023 to just four vehicles in 2025. This evolution reflects Ameren Illinois’ commitment to making fleet electrification accessible not only to large organizations but also to smaller businesses, municipalities and educational facilities across the region.
New Pilot Programs
Ameren Illinois successfully completed three EV charging pilots, including Managed Charging, Energy Management Systems, and Sub-metering, gathering insights that will inform future program design and expansion. This work laid the foundation for FlexCharge, an evolution of the Managed Charging pilot that gives customers flexibility to plug in when it’s convenient, set a ready-by time, and help support a more reliable grid.
“With electric vehicle adoption accelerating, managed charging and time-of-use strategies play a critical role in supporting a reliable grid while empowering customers with choice and control," said Eric Sackett, senior manager of beneficial electrification for Ameren Illinois. "These programs allow customers to charge when it's most convenient for them, while helping shift demand to off-peak periods.”
In addition, program partnerships grew significantly, with the number of Electric Vehicle Partners (EVPs) increasing 105% – from 87 partners in 2023 to 178 by the end of 2025. This expanded network helps drive customer awareness, simplify participation and enhance support for charging equipment, installation and planning.
The 2025 Beneficial Electrification Plan reinforces Ameren Illinois’ commitment to developing community‑driven, equitable and customer‑friendly clean‑energy programs. The company will build on these successes as it advances its next phase of beneficial electrification efforts. For more information, please visit: Electric Vehicles for Business - Ameren.com.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers throughout central and southern Illinois. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles and our mission is to power the quality of life. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. Follow us at @AmerenIllinois or Facebook.com/AmerenIllinois.