That's why Illinois is implementing a five-year, National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plan.
The Illinois Department of Transportation submitted the plan in August. Elizabeth Irvin is the Deputy Director of the Illinois DOT's Office of Planning & Programming. She says for the first year, Interstates 74 and I-80 have been designated "alternative fuel corridors," among other highways across the state.
Under the plan, charging stations will be required to:
- Provide four slots for four vehicles to charge at the same time.
- Provide fast charging or in less than 30 minutes.
- Be located no more than 50 miles apart and no more than one mile from the highway.
- Be equipped with plugs that work with a wide range of electric vehicles.
She says many potential EV owners have what she calls "range anxiety" which must be reduced for more drivers to buy EVs. That is essential for Illinois to meet its goal of putting one million EVs on the road by 2030.
The next meeting about Illinois' National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plan will be held online Tuesday from 2 to 3 pm. It's for all stakeholders and will include:
- Information about how initial station locations were selected,
- Time to collect feedback,
- And discussion about site hosts and EV equipment providers.
Registration for the meeting is required. Sign up HERE.
