Illinois communities complete ComEd’s EV Readiness Program

A diverse group of communities in Illinois were recognized by ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for completing a program designed to help them accommodate the growth of electric vehicles (EVs).

Specifically, 12 local governments recently became the latest to complete the EV Readiness Program, launched by ComEd and the Mayors Caucus in 2022. It was established to help them develop permitting, safety plans and community engagement strategies to make EV use more accessible.

“Expanding EV adoption is key to a cleaner future in Illinois, which is why ComEd is working with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and partners across the region to support communities for the EV transition,” ComEd President and CEO Gil Quiniones said. “Through the EV Readiness Program, cities and counties are developing a foundation to increase EV access for their communities, which will in turn lower emissions and enhance air quality and boost transportation around the region. We congratulate these latest graduating communities for their work to create a cleaner and more sustainable future.”

To date, more than 100,000 EVs are currently registered in Illinois and the state has set a goal of getting 1 million EVs on the road by 2030.

“EV Ready Communities leverage their unique strengths and authorities as local governments to drive EV adoption and accelerate deployment of EV charging infrastructure,” Kevin Burns, the mayor of the City of Geneva and chairman of the executive board of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, said. “The thoughtful planning and actions we take at the local level complements the knowledge and innovation that Argonne National Laboratory, ComEd and our industry partners contribute at the regional and national level.”

The latest communities to demonstrate EV readiness and graduate from the program are Aurora, Batavia, Bensenville, Chicago, DuPage County, Elgin, Glencoe, Hickory Hills, Kane County, Montgomery, Richton Park, and Wilmette.

“These municipalities and counties are significantly contributing to our nation’s goal of a net-zero economy by 2050,” Argonne Director Paul Kearns said. “Argonne partners with industry and all levels of government to deploy innovations that drive U.S. prosperity and advance our national security.”

The EV Readiness Program features a checklist of 131 possible municipal actions to demonstrate preparedness for EV integration. To pass the program, local governments must reach “Bronze” level designation on the checklist by completing 16 Bronze requirements and earning 30 points of their choice on the checklist.

Further, municipalities pursuing advanced zoning, permitting, and new construction actions can obtain either Silver or Gold status.

“Through our Climate Action Implementation Plan, we set a target to reduce transportation GHG emissions by more than 28% by 2030, and through the EV Readiness program, we are well on our way,” Sarra Hinshaw, sustainability manager for Kane County, said. “Working with ComEd to undergo the fleet electrification assessment and with extensive support from the Caucus throughout the EV Readiness training program, we now have the knowledge, plans and policies in place to support community-wide growth in EV charging and electrify the county’s own fleet.”

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