Greentech Lead America: Governor Pat Quinn and
representatives from the Illinois Tollway, 350Green and 7-Elevenn announced the
launch of fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) stations.
The green initiative is part of Governor Quinn’s commitment
to increasing sustainability across Illinois. The initiative will support the
use of electric vehicles and create jobs in sustainable transportation.
Motorists can charge an electric vehicle in under 30 minutes
using the current fast-chargers at 7-Eleven sites at four Tollway Oasis
locations, and will soon be able to charge vehicles at all seven Tollway Oases.
“We want Illinois to be the greenest state in America.
By installing the largest network of cutting edge fast-chargers, Illinois will
continue to support green jobs and provide people with environmentally-friendly
and affordable travel options,” Governor Quinn said.
26 fast-chargers have been installed through the
Chicago-Area EV Infrastructure Project. The installations, managed by 350Green,
were performed by Chicago-based JNS Power & Control Systems.
“Today, the Tollway is taking steps to ensure that
electric vehicle drivers on our roadways have the same convenient access to
electricity as other drivers have to fuel. At the same time, we are continuing
our commitment to clean and green technology and making the Tollway a leader in
environmental sustainability,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director
Kristi Lafleur.
The City of Chicago is overseeing the project’s installation
of 280 charging stations. The budget for the project is $8.8 million, including
$1.9 million in public funding and $6.9 million in private investment. EV
stations are being installed mostly in areas with dense residential and worker
populations and in high-traffic areas.
The overall EV infrastructure project has created
approximately 18 jobs and its construction will support 8,500 labor hours.
“With this announcement, the City of Chicago and the
State of Illinois have the largest and most advanced fast-charging EV
infrastructure in the U.S.,” said Mariana Gerzanych, co-founder and CEO of
350Green.