Electric Vehicles
Are you ready to plug in to a zero-emissions car? EVs have no tailpipe emissions and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Switching your main car to an EV saves the cost of gas and lowers maintenance costs too. Driving an EV typically costs less than half of what it costs to drive a gas car.
Be Sure To...
- Review your options for EVs and EV Charging Stations.
- Understand the basics of safety for charging and EVs.
- Find nearby Charging Stations for EVs
- Register your Electric Vehicle with ComEd.
- Choose an Electric Vehicle Charging Station installer who is certified with the Illinois Commerce Commission.
- Obtain a permit before installing an EV Charging Station. See below for more information
- Find a Charging Station for EVs
- EV Smart: Explore EV options, calculate your savings and more
- Illinois rebate for new EVs (Please note the Illinois rebate program will re-open when additional funding is available)
- Federal tax credit
- Find the right electricity rate to maximize savings on your electricity bill.
- USDOE Blueprints
- Find Used EVs
EVs have several advantages over conventional 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.
- Lower emissions. In Bensenville, greenhouse gas emissions caused by on-road transportation account for approximately 25% 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.
- Reduced energy dependence. Electricity is a domestic energy source.
- Equity. Our community is applying for grants to install EV charging stations in town, to ensure that our residents have access to EV chargers. We are also posting information about EV incentives on our website and social media, to let residents know about available funding opportunities that could make EVs more affordable.
Types of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - EV charging equipment is available in three different levels, depending upon the rate at which the battery is charged and the type of power (i.e. AC or DC)
- Level 1 - Plugs into a standard outlet (120 vots) with an average charging rate of 2-5 miles of range per hour of charging. Typically found at home or the workplace.
- Level 2 - Requires heavy-duty electrical circuit and plug (240 volts) with an average charging rate of 10-20 miles of rnage per hour of charging. Can be installed at home or the workplace.
- Level 3 (DC fast chargers) - 80% charge in 20-30 minutes (480 volts). Typically found at a high traffic areas such as rest stops and shopping center, not at home or the workplace.
Find the building permit and permit application details within the permits page on the website here.
More information specific to EV Charging Station permitting will be added to this page as it is developed and released by the Village in coordination with the work that staff is performing through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus EV Readiness program. Please stay tuned as Bensenville continues to work towards becoming an EV friendly community.”