Electric Vehicles in Evanston

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Watch the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's explanation of plug-in vehicles.

EVs have several advantages over conventional vehicles:

Lower emissions. In Evanston, greenhouse gas emissions caused by on-road transportation account for 22% of total emissions. EVs do not emit tailpipe emissions, which makes them a cleaner option to operate compared to gasoline or diesel vehicles, especially if charged with renewable energy.
Improved air quality. Lower emissions lead to better local air quality.
Performance benefits. Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation, and stronger acceleration.
Reduced maintenance costs. EVs have fewer moving parts and don’t require oil changes, tune-ups, cooling system flushes, and other common maintenance services needed for traditional vehicles.
Energy efficient. EVs convert over 77% of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels. Conventional gasoline vehicles only convert about 12%–30% of the energy stored in gasoline to power at the wheels.

Register your EV with ComEd to help the utility assess your electric service needs.
Find the right electric rate.
Find an EV charging station installer who is registered with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).

Check out EV charging stations in Evanston.

Learn more about EVs and if switching to electric is right for you:

ComEd Find Vehicles & Chargers – This site and the next webpage are part of ComEd’s EVSmart webpage.
ComEd Savings, Benefits & Incentives
Find Used EVs
PlugStar EV Shopping Assistant
Electric Vehicles for Consumers – information from the U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center
National Drive Electric Week – Events offer ride and drives, the opportunity to talk to EV drivers, and the chance to see a variety of electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. Annual events are hosted nationwide in the fall and also around Earth Day in April.

Federal Tax Credit for Vehicles: Use the federal government’s federal tax credit tool to learn about the credit amount available for various EV makes and models. The maximum credit is $7,500 for new vehicles and up to $4,000 for used vehicles.
New and Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credits, Energy Saver webpage – This Department of Energy webpage describes the new and previously owned clean vehicle tax credits. The page includes a checklist to determine if a vehicle is eligible for either credit. You may also want to contact a tax professional.
Illinois EV Rebate Program: The next rebate cycle will be open Nov. 1, 2023, to Jan. 31, 2024. Residents may apply for a $4,000 rebate on a new or used all-electric vehicle. Purchasers must apply for the rebate during an open rebate cycle and within 90 days of vehicle purchase.
Federal Tax Credit for EV Charging Equipment – Residents who purchase qualified residential charging equipment may receive a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $1,000. Find out more at the above website, or consult a tax professional.
(Utility rebate – If there is a rebate from the utility in the future, add this.)
(Local rebate – If you have a local rebate, add this.)

For other updates on incentives, please visit:

Maintenance and Safety of Electric Vehicles - U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center