Dive Brief:
- Chicago-based utility provider ComEd is offering $100 million in rebates to reduce the costs of installing electric vehicle charging hubs in homes, businesses and public sites around northern Illinois, the power company announced Feb. 6.
- The rebate program is part of a broader statewide initiative to promote widespread adoption of electric vehicles and get one million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030.
- “The ComEd rebates that support EV adoption and accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure are pivotal in driving a sustainable future,” Megha Lakhchaura, state EV officer of Illinois, said in the announcement. “These initiatives will empower consumers to make cleaner choices and support the transition to zero emission transportation.”
Dive Insight:
ComEd’s rebate program is driven by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passed by Illinois lawmakers and signed by Gov. JB Pritzker in September 2021. In addition to pushing for EV adoption, it also required Illinois electric utilities to develop plans for rapid deployment of statewide charging infrastructure.
The latest ComEd effort follows up its February 2024 program which provided $87 million in rebates to build out charging infrastructure in its service area, which includes the Chicago area and most of northern Illinois. The utility credits its initiative for helping to offset installation costs of nearly 4,000 residential and commercial charging Level 2 and Level 3 ports, as well as public and private charging stations.
“ComEd is focused on ensuring that not only is the grid is equipped for increased electrification, but that our customers and communities have the support needed to navigate the transition to EVs and the benefits they provide for customers as well as the environment,” Melissa Washington, ComEd SVP of customer operations and strategic initiatives, said in the release.
ComEd’s 2025 program is providing:
- $53 million in rebates for business and public sector EV fleet purchases, including small businesses that buy at least one electric vehicle for commercial use.
- $38 million for required upgrades needed to install public and private Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations for non-residential customers.
- $9 million to residential customers to offset purchase and installation costs of at-home Level 2 charging—with rebates of up to $3,750 per charger.
Illinois’ effort to encourage EV and clean-fuel vehicle adoption follows other national initiatives to expand EV charging infrastructure without federal support.
While the Trump administration in February suspended the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program until it could provide updated guidance, other states and the private sector continue to push for EV adoption as automakers move ahead to meet increasing consumer demand for battery electric vehicles.
In November, Massachusetts signed into law legislation to build out charging infrastructure and incentivize EV adoption. The state wants 900,000 EVs on its roads by 2030.
Ionna, a U.S.-headquartered private joint venture of major automakers including BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, last month announced that its public beta phase transitioned to full-scale national release. Ionna has a goal of bringing over 1,000 charging bays online this year and 30,000 by 2030.
