• Posted: October 19, 2022
• Bob Hattier, CATA, Chicago Automobile Trade Association, Chicago Drives Electric, Chris Konecki, electric vehicle chargers, electric vehicles, ev, Jennifer Morand

 

Powering Chicago took part in the first-ever Chicago Drives Electric event as the event’s premier sponsor. The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the region’s new-car dealer association and producer of the Chicago Auto Show, hosted the EV test drive and educational event for consumers, car dealers and media.

“People have a lot of curiosity. There’s a lot of news around electrification of vehicles, and people want to know what’s coming next for them. Is this right for them? Will they be able to buy one? Will they be able to charge it in their home? If I live in an apartment, is this right for me?” said Chris Konecki, CATA executive vice president.

Powering Chicago members served as panelists for discussions at the event and offered tours of its 73-foot semi-trailer, giving attendees an interactive look at the latest electrical technology that members are trained in.

“Powering Chicago is here to support not only the electrification of transportation, but the most important component, which is a reliable and safely installed infrastructure,” said Powering Chicago’s Executive Director Elbert Walters III.

The event provided sessions with information specifically for the media and car dealerships on how to find a quality electrical contractor for EV charger installations, evaluating upgrades to infrastructure and the differences among chargers.

“You want to have a qualified electrical contractor come out and evaluate your electrical service,” explained Powering Chicago’s Bob Hattier, business representative at IBEW 134, during one of the panels. “[The EV charger] may end up being the largest electrical appliance in that structure, so it may require service upgrades. It may require some more wiring to bring more power out to a detached garage.”

Through its Chicago Drives Electric event, CATA shared why it’s important for consumers and dealers alike to pay attention to the EV industry and informed attendees on how they can prepare to adopt EVs into their lives and businesses.

“With this industry and this infrastructure growing quickly, there are a lot of incentives that are available for consumers now, and the widespread adoptability of EVs is coming and it’s coming now,” said Jennifer Morand, CATA co-president.

“We’re trying to educate people, bringing them here, having them take a look at the cars, ask questions to qualified representatives who can give them answers to their questions, and hopefully they’ll come away with some knowledge, and they’ll be an EV buyer of the future,” said Konecki.

Powering Chicago is committed to supporting CATA’s mission to raise awareness around EVs by sharing its highly-trained electrical contractors’ expertise installing EV chargers and infrastructure through events like Chicago Drives Electric.

“We talked a lot about what the future looks like and how electricians are key to that, so involving Powering Chicago for us, was a completely natural fit. They are just a great team to work with, and we really appreciate their support,” said Morand.

For more information on considerations for EV chargers, download Powering Chicago’s EV charger installation e-book.

If you’re looking for more information on the latest practices and technological advances in the electrical construction industry, Powering Chicago’s new YouTube series, The Power of Better, launched on Monday, October, 17. Visit Powering Chicago’s YouTube Channel and click subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.