Illinois Governor launches EV fast-charging network, currently US’ largest
30 March 2012
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and representatives from the Illinois Tollway, 350Green LLC and 7-Eleven, Inc. announced the availability of the US’ largest network of fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) stations to date.
Through the Chicago-Area EV Infrastructure Project, 26 fast-chargers have been installed, with 73 total fast-chargers planned. Eight of these are currently in place at Tollway Oases along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) at the Des Plaines Oasis and on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) at the Lake Forest Oasis, O’Hare Oasis and Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis. The installations, managed by 350Green, were performed by Chicago-based JNS Power & Control Systems.
The City of Chicago is overseeing the project’s installation of 280 charging stations overall to increase accessibility to EV charging. With a budget of $8.8 million, including $1.9 million in public funding and $6.9 million in private investment, EV stations are being installed mostly in areas with dense residential and worker populations and in high-traffic areas.
Partnerships with charging station hosts such as 7-Eleven have been key to the rollout of the network across the state. 7-Eleven convenience stores at four of the Illinois Tollway Oases now have dedicated space for fast-charging stations.
Before plugging in to one of the Tollway’s fast-chargers, drivers must purchase a payment card from 350Green. The $21 card includes three 15-minute sessions at fast-charging stations.
The Chicago-Area EV Infrastructure Project is funded in part by the state’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital plan and Clean Cities Grant funds that the city of Chicago received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The project is one of several initiatives now underway in Illinois to promote the adoption and use of electric vehicles.
The Illinois Jobs Now! plan includes up to $10 million in capital funding for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to award EV manufacturing and infrastructure incentives, which will begin rolling out this spring. In July 2011, Governor Quinn signed the Electric Vehicle Act to form the Illinois Electric Vehicle Advisory Council, a group of public- and private-sector electric vehicle stakeholders collaborating to develop policies and programs that support EVs.
In addition, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) offers the Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program, which provides a rebate of up to $4,000 toward EV purchases. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) also launched a Plug-in Electric Vehicle Initiative (PEV) Initiative to explore regulatory issues related to EV deployment.
Looks good.
"$1.9 million in public funding and $6.9 million in private investment"
I think chargers at retail stores makes a lot of sense - notso much on the tollway.
And will this draw customers
- - or just give 7-eleven a green glow?
Who cares, it's mostly their money.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 30 March 2012 at 04:01 PM
Good. But how many EV/PHEVs can take a fast charge these days? Leaf and...??
Posted by: Reel$$ | 30 March 2012 at 05:32 PM
Leaf and iMiev, not all models.. Tesla will need an adapter.
Posted by: Herm | 30 March 2012 at 08:18 PM
We're going to have 10,000 level 3 fast chargers in the US by 2014 just in time for the "2nd generation" of EVs. We'll have 150 mile range EVs.
Level 2 chargers will be closer to 100,000 by that time and will be close to malls, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. And every garage in America with a 240V washer/dryer circuit is a potential level 2 charger.
Posted by: DaveD | 31 March 2012 at 07:06 PM
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 01 April 2012 at 07:41 AM