ComEd reveals $231M electrification investment, expanded electric vehicle training
Working with regional and municipal leaders, ComEd of Illinois announced a slew of programs this week meant to accelerate adoption of electrified technologies in the region.
The programs were part of a $231 million investment meant to remove barriers to electrification. These include a new EV Charging Delivery Rate option for all nonresidential customers with EV charging. Under that plan, public, business, mass transit and other commercial customers will gain access to a low-cost alternative to demand-based delivery rates.
“As we move towards developing a new fueling infrastructure for the state – the utility role will only become more critical. ComEd’s new rate options will complement the state’s investment in charging infrastructure and help create an expansive public charging network in Illinois,” Megha Lakhchaura, Illinois EV Officer, said. “We hope to see continued initiatives from ComEd that align with the state’s attempts to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and fight climate change.”
Additionally, ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) agreed to expand the EV Readiness Program to 15 more communities, growing the network of EV adoption plans being offered to localities. New members include: Batavia, Bensenville, Berwyn, DuPage County, Elgin, Evanston, Hickory Hills, Highland Park, Montgomery, Northbrook, Park Forest, Peotone, River Forest, Wilmette and Woodstock, Illinois.
Those communities are in addition to the 16 already participating communities, and each will be supported with plans for regional transportation electrification. Further, the work helps set those communities up for competitive funding opportunities to support electrification.
“ComEd is committed to helping more residential and business customers transition to zero emissions technologies needed to build a cleaner, more resilient future for all,” ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones said. “Working in collaboration with state, municipal and regional partners, ComEd is offering new programs to help remove barriers to going electric at home, on the road and at work – with a special focus on underserved communities that have been hit hardest by carbon emissions.”
Additional customer programs should be rolled out over the coming months, including rebates, infrastructure support and pilot studies to accelerate the adoption of EVs and other electrified technologies in-state.
Illinois has reached nearly 70,000 registrations of electric vehicles to date, and more are being added monthly. Additional charging infrastructure will likely see this grow further – a long-term goal of the state at large, given that the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) calls for 1 million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030.
