Chicago Plans Electric Vehicle Charging Network

The city of Chicago is planning to build a network of 280 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the city by the end of the year.

1 minute read

March 2, 2011, 5:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"It's part of a smart grid demonstration project, partially funded by the federal government, to get a jump-start on the potential impact on the electric system if Chicagoans start buying battery-powered vehicles in big numbers.

Windy, snow-swept Chicago doesn't exactly pop to the top of the list as an EV epicenter. But former Mayor Richard M. Daley made greening the second city a priority, and according to a spokesperson for Exelon -- which owns Chicago utility ComEd -- Illinois ranks in the top 10 when it comes to hybrid car ownership."

ComEd vehicles will be the main users of the new network, but officials are hoping their existence will spur demand for electric vehicles.

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