Working Collaboratively to Become EV Ready
In the fall of 2022, the Caucus invited municipalities to participate in the new EV Readiness Program to prepare to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging infrastructure. Qualifying local governments applied to join an EV Readiness cohort and receive free technical assistance and training in a variety of critical areas as they work toward the designation of “EV Ready Community.”
Local government members of the EV Readiness cohorts follow a pathway toward EV Ready Bronze, Silver or Gold by completing a number of fundamental tasks presented in the EV Readiness Checklist. With guidance and resources assembled by the Caucus’ EV Readiness Team, municipal leaders develop clear permitting for EV charging infrastructure, analyze zoning and parking codes to address barriers to EV infrastructure, engage the community, and participate in technical and safety training for staff. Municipalities may also tailor actions to suit the needs of their own community.
The second, updated version of the EV Readiness Checklist was crafted over the course of six months with the help of the EV Ready Advisory Committee (EVRAC). Some 70 EVRAC members, including mayors, managers, and other local government staff members, as well as representatives from councils of governments, regional planning organizations, Argonne National Laboratory, EV charging station companies, IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), environmental and energy-focused nonprofit organizations, and economic development organizations, contributed nearly 350 hours during 18 meetings to create the robust EV Readiness Checklist and focused, priority pathways to earn Bronze, Silver or Gold EV Readiness.
In the fall of 2022, the Caucus opened the EV Readiness Program application to communities and asked them if they would like to join one of two cohorts. Communities completed an application in 2022 to be considered for the Program.
- The first learning cohort started in December 2022 and finished the program with an award ceremony in December 2023: Carol Stream, Darien, Deer Park, Geneva, Glencoe, Hampshire, Hanover Park, Maywood, Oak Park, Polo, Skokie, and University Park.
- The second cohort started in the summer of 2023 and includes Aurora, Batavia, Bensenville, Chicago, DuPage County, Elgin, Hickory Hills, Kane County, Montgomery, Richton Park, and Wilmette. They finished the program in the summer of 2024.
Communities that would like to participate in a future cohort can join the waitlist. Local governments on the waitlist will receive preference when a new cohort application opens. Municipalities must adopt the Greenest Region Compact to participate. Find information and verify that your community has adopted the GRC here. Applicants must also provide a letter of commitment to work collaboratively through the EV Readiness Program. (The letter of commitment fulfills requirement CR-1 in the EV Readiness Checklist.) Cohorts are limited in size and equity will be considered in assembling the cohorts.
ComEd is the generous sponsor of the EV Readiness Program.
EV Readiness in the Greenest Region Compact and Climate Action Plan
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus has an underlying interest in clean transportation because it relates to many of the consensus goals of the Greenest Region Compact (GRC):
Support efficient transportation that uses resources wisely.
Integrate sustainability into transportation policies, programs and regulations.
Operate a safe, clean, and efficient fleet.
In the Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region, the EV Readiness Program relates to the objective “decarbonize transportation” and the strategies, “Adapt development processes to accelerate investment in EV charging infrastructure,” and, “Transition fleets to low- and zero-emission vehicles.”