Transforming Transportation with Electric Vehicle Charging

State Funding and the Joliet Charging Station

Thanks to the substantial state funding, Veterans Energy Team, in partnership with the Joliet Park District, was able to install 12 charging ports across two locations in the city. With an additional four ports added using other funds, this marks an important milestone in the state's efforts to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Gov. J.B. Pritzker emphasized the importance of reducing air pollution for a healthy future, stating that this is the first deployment of a CEJA-funded electric vehicle charging port, thanks to support from federal partners and utility companies.

The Joliet chargers are the first to open after being funded by the state's Rebuild Illinois capital funding and authorized by the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. This initiative not only meets clean energy policy goals but also creates more jobs and opportunities for Illinois workers. As of last week, there were about 120,000 EVs on Illinois roads, and the state aims to have 1 million by 2030. With over $25 million in state infrastructure funding already awarded and another funding round of up to $44 million in progress, the growth in chargers is crucial for achieving this goal.

Expanding Charging Infrastructure

This round of funding would add about 2,000 new ports, representing a roughly 47% increase in the number of charging ports around the state. According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, this significant expansion will help meet the growing demand for electric vehicle charging. Gov. Pritzker's goal of having a charging station "along every highway, every 50 miles" is a testament to the state's commitment to supporting electric vehicle drivers.

ComEd, which provides electric service for most of northern Illinois and is home to about 90% of EVs in the state, also played a crucial role. The company provided funds for the Joliet project through its rebate program for EV chargers, which is part of its "beneficial electrification plan" mandated by the CEJA. EV charging projects are eligible for up to $500,000 in rebates, and earlier this year, ComEd announced $90 million in available rebates related to electric vehicles.

EVs by the Numbers

Since November 2017, the number of EVs registered in Illinois has grown by about 1,400%, according to data from the secretary of state. However, the number of EV charging ports only grew by about 600% during the same time. Globally, the average number of light-duty electric vehicles per charging port is about 11, with the U.S. having a higher 26 cars-per-port ratio due to home charging being more popular. In Illinois, there are about 31 EVs per charging port, including both light duty and larger vehicles like buses, which is higher than in 2017. This indicates that more vehicles are competing for charging spots, even as more stations have opened.

While the state is working hard to keep up with the pace of charging port installations, another trend has emerged. The number of new EV registrations has slowed, mirroring a broader slowdown in the EV market across the country. The net increase in EV registrations over the past 12 months fell about 9.1%, and if this pace continues, the state would fall short of its million EV goal by almost 200,000 vehicle registrations. Despite these challenges, the state remains committed to expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure and supporting the growth of the electric vehicle market.