ComEd Unveils $100 Million in EV Rebates to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Adoption Across Northern Illinois
At the annual Chicago Auto Show, ComEd, in collaboration with local and industry stakeholders, proudly announced the launch of $100 million in rebates aimed at fostering electric vehicle adoption throughout Northern Illinois in 2025. This substantial investment is designed to alleviate upfront cost barriers and promote the widespread integration of technology. The rebates are categorized into three primary programs: residential charger installation, all-electric fleet vehicle acquisition, and infrastructure enhancements for public and business charging stations.
Residential, business, and public sector customers can now apply for these rebates via ComEd’s dedicated portal at www.comed.com/clean. The initiative aligns with ComEd’s commitment to supporting customers and communities in the transition to while ensuring the grid’s readiness for increased electrification.
Melissa Washington, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives at ComEd, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “ComEd is focused on ensuring that not only is the grid equipped for increased electrification, but that our customers and communities have the support needed to navigate the transition to and the benefits they provide for customers as well as the environment.”
Breakdown of the $100 Million Investment
ComEd’s 2025 investment strategy allocates funds strategically across various sectors:
- Business and Public Sector EV Fleet Rebates: $53 million is designated to support the purchase of EVs for commercial use. This includes small businesses acquiring as few as one electric vehicle, with no restrictions on vehicle size or weight class.
- Infrastructure Make-Ready Rebates: Nearly $38 million is allocated to facilitate the necessary infrastructure upgrades for Level 2 (L2) and Level 3 (DCFC) charging stations, catering to both public and private non-residential customers.
- Residential Charging Rebates: Almost $9 million is available to help residential customers offset the costs associated with purchasing and installing at-home L2 chargers, with rebates of up to $3,750 per charger.
This announcement builds on the success of ComEd’s 2024 program, which introduced nearly $90 million in rebates. Both initiatives are part of Illinois’ state-mandated program under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), targeting the deployment of 1 million on Illinois roads by 2030.
Equity-Centered Approach
ComEd’s rebate programs are designed with equity at their core. More than half of the total funds are reserved for low-income customers and equity-eligible communities. Higher rebate amounts are available exclusively for these groups to ensure that the benefits of EV adoption are accessible to all.
“The ComEd rebates that support adoption and accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure are pivotal in driving a sustainable future,” stated Megha Lakhchaura, State EV Officer of Illinois. “These initiatives will empower consumers to make cleaner choices and support the transition to zero-emission transportation.”
Positive Environmental and Health Impacts
EV adoption offers numerous benefits, including reduced emissions, lower fuel costs, and economic development. Importantly, the improvement in air quality will significantly benefit communities historically affected by pollution.
“ComEd’s CEJA-enabled programs to get more zero-emission vehicles moving are critical for cutting health-damaging air pollution,” said Brian Urbaszewski, Director of Environmental Health Programs at the Respiratory Health Association. “We encourage all eligible applicants to take advantage of this great economic opportunity that will benefit both them and their neighbors.
Progress and Achievement
Since the inception of its EV rebate programs, ComEd has witnessed remarkable growth in EV projects:
- Funded EV expansion projects in over 300 ZIP codes
- Supported the installation of nearly 3,500 residential and commercial charging ports
- Enabled the addition of over 200 new and pre-owned fleet vehicles for municipalities, businesses, and school districts
- Directed more than half of the funds toward low-income and equity-eligible communities
“We are pleased to see that ComEd’s rebate offers for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including electric school buses, are underway and picking up steam,” remarked Susan Mudd, Senior Policy Advocate at the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Getting kids out of dirty diesel buses and communities having fewer diesel trucks and buses will help improve public health significantly.”
Supporting Local and Regional Goals
ComEd’s efforts have coincided with a surge in adoption in Illinois, with over 126,000 currently on the roads, 112,000 of which are in Northern Illinois. Beyond funding, ComEd actively supports various initiatives to help communities achieve their net-zero transportation goals.
“On behalf of Chicagoland new-car dealers, we applaud ComEd for propelling the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles in Illinois,” said Jennifer Morand, President of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association.
Municipal Support and Training
ComEd has partnered with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to develop the Readiness Program, a pioneering training initiative for municipalities. This program assists local governments in creating ordinances, safety measures, and infrastructure plans to support EV growth. Over 41 local governments in Northern Illinois have benefited from this program.
“ComEd’s support of our Readiness Program has been a game-changer for the communities we serve,” said Kevin Burns, Chairman of the Environment and Energy Committee at the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
Streamlining the Customer Experience
To simplify the transition toComEd offers several supportive services:
- Fleet Electrification Assessments: Helping businesses plan for EV integration.
- Make-Ready Rebate Reservation Program: Providing funding certainty for charging infrastructure projects.
- Fleet EV Point of Sale Program: Partnering with over 70 auto dealers to streamline rebate applications at the time of vehicle purchase.
- EV Service Provider Network: Featuring 84 certified local businesses to assist with EV infrastructure installations.
“Being a part of ComEd’s Service Providers network has been a transformative experience,” said Ed West, President of Veterans Energy. “This partnership has been critical to the growth of my business, and I look forward to helping more interested customers qualify for expanded rebates.
