ComEd, Metro Mayors Caucus Announce 20 Northern Illinois Communities Take Steps to Become EV Ready

Rhea-AI Summary

ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus announced the third cohort of 20 communities joining the EV Readiness Program, an initiative helping local governments prepare for increasing electric vehicle (EV) demand. The program provides technical assistance for streamlining policies and implementing best practices for regional transportation electrification.

EVs in Illinois have more than doubled from 53,000 in 2022 to over 119,000 today, with the majority in northern Illinois. The program has reached 41 communities and continues expanding through ComEd's investments in beneficial electrification. ComEd has made nearly $90 million available in funding for EV projects, resulting in over 3,000 charging ports and 150 fleet vehicles across 300 unique zip codes.

Positive

• EV adoption showing strong growth, more than doubling from 53,000 in 2022 to 119,000 vehicles
• Program successfully expanded to 41 communities in northern Illinois
• Nearly $90 million in funding made available for EV projects
• Implementation of over 3,000 charging ports and 150 fleet vehicles

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The EV Readiness Program expansion, while aligned with Illinois' ambitious goal of 1 million EVs by 2030, has minimal immediate financial impact on Exelon/ComEd's bottom line. However, the program's strategic value lies in positioning ComEd for future growth in EV infrastructure. The 119,000 EVs currently in northern Illinois, more than double from 2022, signals strong market momentum.

ComEd's $90 million in customer funding for EV projects and the addition of over 3,000 charging ports demonstrate meaningful infrastructure development. The program's expansion to 41 communities creates a foundation for increased electricity demand and infrastructure investment returns as EV adoption accelerates. Yet, relative to ComEd's overall revenue base, these investments represent incremental growth rather than transformative change.

Newest cohort of EV Readiness training communities announced; First of its kind program helps local governments plan to meet growing demand for EVs

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (Caucus) today announced the third cohort of communities participating in the EV Readiness Program, a unique initiative to help local governments prepare to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging infrastructure. A total of 20 communities will receive technical assistance through the program that will enable them to streamline policies and implement best practices for safe and effective regional transportation electrification.

The third cohort includes a diverse mix of communities across the region, including Berwyn, Broadview, Brookfield, Countryside, DeKalb, Evanston, Glenview, Grayslake, Highland Park, Johnsburg, Lindenhurst, Park Forest, River Forest, Rockford, Rolling Meadows, Streamwood, Vernon Hills, and Warrenville.

"Working alongside our partners at the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, ComEd is committed to expanding access to EVs and charging for our communities across northern Illinois,” said Louie Binswanger, senior vice president of Governmental, Regulatory and External Affairs for ComEd. “Training through the EV Readiness Program is essential for helping communities navigate the policies and infrastructure planning needed to ramp up EV adoption safely and equitably. Congratulations to the newest cohort, who will help more residents in their communities unlock the myriad benefits of EVs – from reducing harmful pollution in our communities to creating cost savings benefits for those driving them.”

ComEd and the Caucus first launched the EV Readiness Program in 2022 to support communities increasingly focused on embracing EVs, which provide cost savings, environmental and health benefits for communities. EVs are on the rise in Illinois, with more than 119,000 on the roads today and the majority of them in northern Illinois, more than doubling from the 53,000 registered in 2022. This growth is happening in large part thanks to the state’s landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) passed in 2021, which sets a goal of putting 1 million EVs on the road by 2030.

“The EV Readiness Program demonstrates how working together across the region supports innovation by communities of all sizes and strengths,” said City of Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, Caucus Environment and Energy Committee Chairman. “The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus pioneered EV Readiness, and we have designated 21 municipalities and two counties as ‘EV Ready Communities’ for their work to accelerate equitable access to EVs and EV charging.”

EV Readiness Program participants focus on policy development related to EV infrastructure, permitting, and safety, and support community engagement. Through the program, EV Readiness cohort members will follow a pathway toward EV Ready Bronze, Silver, or Gold designation, achieving status by taking action in several categories related to EV adoption and infrastructure. Two of the communities that are participating in the third cohort – the City of Chicago and DuPage County – are seeking to “level up” to a Silver or Gold designation. They had previously earned Bronze designation. Members of the third cohort begin work in early November and are expected to achieve “EV Ready Community” designation status by the summer of 2025.

“Our aim is to spark investment in EV charging so our residents and businesses can enjoy the benefits of clean energy,” said Village of Park Forest Mayor Joseph A. Woods. “Our Climate Action and Resilience Plan identifies key strategies to reduce emissions from transportation, including to promote EV adoption in our community as well as in our own public fleet.”

“We all have a responsibility to protect our environment and to mitigate the impact of climate change,” said City of Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott. “Our net-zero Municipal Complex features EV charging stations for public and facility use, to encourage the use of non-pollution emitting vehicles, and prime parking spaces reserved for high-efficiency vehicles. We hope that our work in the EV Readiness Program helps us extend access to clean transportation across the City.”

“We want to ensure we are prepared for the expected surge in electric vehicles in the coming years and investments that will go along with this,” said City of DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes. “Joining the EV Readiness Program will help us do just that, and it will assist us in bringing the benefits of EV technology to more DeKalb residents, regardless of where they live or what their income level is.”

With the EV Readiness program reaching 41 communities in northern Illinois so far, it is poised for continued expansion thanks to support from ComEd, via its investments in beneficial electrification, geared toward helping customers adopt cleaner technologies, like EVs, that will lower emissions, enhance the environment, and in some cases generate energy cost savings. These investments, in addition to funding critical education programs for communities, have also provided a significant amount of EV rebate and infrastructure funding, with nearly $90 million in funding made available to customers earlier this year to help cover the cost of EV projects such as residential charging, EV fleet vehicle purchase and make ready infrastructure.

With access to charging and cost of purchase identified as some of the key barriers to widespread EV growth, it is clear that ComEd EV programs are helping to address the needs of customers and communities. Already, ComEd EV programs are showing results, incentivizing the addition of more than 3,000 L2 and DCFC EV charging ports, nearly 150 fleet vehicles, including school buses, and with EV funds reaching into over 300 unique zip codes in the area. Funding remains available, apply today at www.comed.com/clean.

For more information on the EV Readiness Program, please visit the Caucus’ program webpage.

About ComEd

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

About the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is a membership organization of the Chicago region’s 275 cities, towns and villages. Founded in 1997, the Caucus pushes past geographical boundaries and local interests to work on public policy issues. The organization provides a forum for metropolitan Chicago’s chief elected officials to collaborate on common problems and work toward a common goal of improving the quality of life for the millions of people who call the region home. For more information, visit mayorscaucus.org, and connect with the organization on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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ComEd Media Relations

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Source: ComEd

FAQ

How many communities are participating in ComEd's latest EV Readiness Program cohort?

20 communities are participating in the third cohort of ComEd's EV Readiness Program.

How many electric vehicles are currently on Illinois roads in 2023?

There are more than 119,000 electric vehicles on Illinois roads, more than double the 53,000 registered in 2022.

How much funding has ComEd made available for EV projects?

ComEd has made nearly $90 million available in funding for EV projects such as residential charging, EV fleet vehicle purchases, and make ready infrastructure.

How many charging ports has ComEd's EV program helped implement?

ComEd's EV programs have incentivized the addition of more than 3,000 L2 and DCFC EV charging ports.