Various Forces Enabling Electric Vehicle Charging Growth
by Powering Chicago
If you look around Chicago, you may notice more electric vehicles (EVs) driving on the streets, EV charging stations being installed, and Chicago Transit Authority’s all-electric buses providing transportation services to the people of the city.
These are all instances in which you see the electrification of transit. The transition from gas-powered to electric transportation is increasing, especially in Illinois and the Midwest.
Policymakers are listening to their constituents and are passing new laws to better the environment. Automakers are taking note and pivoting their gas-powered vehicle designs to electric versions.
Consequently, the two main forces enabling electric vehicle charging growth are government and automakers.
Government Support is Enabling Electric Vehicle Charging Growth
Increased support for EV and commercial transportation from local, state, and federal laws is enabling electric vehicle charging growth.
Lawmakers passed the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in September 2021. This act proposed a goal of having one million all-electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030.
Because EVs can only drive so far before needing to be charged, private and public businesses and facilities should install more EV charging stations to meet consumer needs.
Currently, there are about 47,000 public charging stations available nationwide. However, President Biden plans to spend $15 billion to help create 500,000 more public charging stations within the next nine years.
These combined legislative efforts prove EVs are no longer a futuristic technology—it’s a present technology. Automakers are hiring engineers and electric specialists in order to keep on top of this fast-moving electric technology.
Automakers Commit to Expanding Electric Vehicle Efforts
Transitioning away from gas-powered vehicle models is not off the radar for popular American automakers. Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts EV sales will surpass sales of gas-powered models in just 15 years.
These automaker statistics illustrate the growing investment in EV technology:
GM is investing $27 billion in Electric Vehicle technology from 2020-2025
Ford is investing $30 billion in Electric Vehicle technology by 2030
You can see the impact EVs are making on the roads today. In Illinois specifically, there were over 37,000 all-electric vehicles registered as of January 2022. As the number of all-electric vehicles increase, so does the need for charging stations.
Certified and qualified electricians and licensed electrical contractors will need to be able to install electrical vehicle charging stations to charge EVs at businesses, organizations, school districts, municipal buildings, and other facilities.
With a number of federal and state tax breaks aimed at incentivizing investment in EV technology, and the fast-growing popularity of all-electric vehicles, now is the time to think about installing EV charging stations. But there are many factors to consider before you take the leap into installing your EV infrastructure.
Powering Chicago’s Electric Vehicle Charging E-book
Powering Chicago’s new e-book, The Time is Now: Considerations for EV Charging Infrastructure, guides business owners and facility managers who are considering EV charging station installation.
The e-book’s sections include:
Now Is The Time to Consider EV
A Comprehensive Approach to Installing EVSE
Featured Projects by Powering Chicago Members
Additional Resources
Key Points Summary
Download The Time is Now: Considerations for EV Charging Infrastructure to hear from Powering Chicago’s electrical experts and to make the best decision for your organization’s EV charging infrastructure.