The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) today announced the start of public outreach efforts to help shape the City of Chicago’s future investments in Electric Vehicles (EV) and charging infrastructure. To support the City of Chicago’s Climate Action Plan goals to reduce transportation carbon emissions and advance environmental justice, CDOT is developing a framework plan to equitably expand EV access, services, and charging infrastructure. As part of this planning process, CDOT is launching a survey to better understand the level of knowledge residents have about EVs and e-mobility devices like electric bikes and scooters, their mobility needs, and how those factors will impact EV charging demand over the next decade. 

CDOT will host the first of several community meetings on Tuesday, November 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Olive-Harvey College, with more dates to follow. Residents are encouraged to take the online survey and view additional meeting times at the newly launched project website: chicago.gov/chicagomoveselectric. 

“EVs are one of many sustainable mobility options that help us meet our citywide goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality and health for our residents,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Chicago is taking a community-driven approach to ensure our investments in EV infrastructure meet the needs of residents and ensure every neighborhood has access to the environmental and cost-saving benefits of electric vehicles.” 

“While we continue to invest in strategies that enable residents to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled, Chicago also must support equitable adoption of electric vehicles by expanding and improving our charging infrastructure,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar. “I am excited to partner with CDOT on its EV and mobility plan that will help us accelerate EV adoption in neighborhoods disproportionately burdened by poor air quality.”  

“Along with our continued work to advance active transportation options like walking, biking, and taking transit, improving access to EVs and charging infrastructure is an important part of creating a greener and healthier transportation system,” said CDOT’s Acting Commissioner Tom Carney. “We look forward to hearing from residents to help us develop a comprehensive EV and mobility framework plan that meets their needs.” 

The EV and E-Mobility Infrastructure Plan will serve as a roadmap for CDOT and other City departments to evaluate and identify opportunities to create greater accessibility to EVs and e-mobility, streamline the regulatory and design process for public charging infrastructure deployment, and pilot curbside charging. 

The community meeting schedule is as follows: 

• Tuesday, November 7, Olive-Harvey College from 6 – 7:30 p.m. (virtual and in person meeting)
• Thursday, November 16, Virtual Meeting on Zoom,  6 – 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, November 30th, Malcolm X College from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

To take the survey, learn more EVs and e-mobility in Chicago, and to sign up for email updates, please visit the project website: chicago.gov/chicagomoveselectric.  

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