• Posted: August 10, 2023
• Ana Isabel Mendoza, Andrew Burnham, Argonne National Laboratory, Elbert Walters III, electric vehicles, ev, EV infrastructure, evse, Governors State University, Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), Illinois Department of Transportation, Infraday Midwest, Jack Cruikshank, McLean County Government, Reggie Greenwood, Renewable Energy, Sean Neuert

 

As electric vehicles (EVs) and the installation of EV infrastructure becomes increasingly popular in the Midwest, Powering Chicago and its Executive Director Elbert Walters III have prioritized sharing essential knowledge and credible resources for individuals and organizations interested in installing EV infrastructure to ensure safety, reliability, and the efficiency of the charging station post-installation.

On June 13th, Elbert Walters III attended the 4th Infraday Midwest event for infrastructure leaders at Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection in Chicago, Illinois.

This event provided an opportunity for those in both the public and private sector an opportunity to network and learn more about where the infrastructure market is heading in the Midwest. Topics during panel discussions ranged from climate and infrastructure, to the state of the infrastructure market, EV infrastructure, and more. 

Walters moderated a panel of experts focused specifically on EV infrastructure, “Expanding Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: Adoption and Charging Accessibility in the Midwest.” Panelists included:

• Ana Isabel Mendoza, GIS Specialist, McLean County Government 
• Andrew Burnham, Principal Environmental Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory 
• Jack Cruikshank, Transportation System Planner, Office of Intermodal Project Implementation, Illinois Department of Transportation 
• Reggie Greenwood, Director of the Supply Chain Innovation Center, Governors State University 
• Sean Neuert, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS)

During the discussion, panelists raised several key points about the benefits, challenges, and solutions in association with EV infrastructure:

• Available resources to combat EVSE implementation such as associated infrastructure costs.

• EV transition challenges such as inventory availability, strategic charger location and necessary driving culture adjustments. 

• Comparison of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles vs. battery electric vehicles, exploring their respective benefits and challenges.

• Discussion on the benefits of electric vehicles in the Midwest, emphasizing the importance of expanding EV infrastructure.

• Rural communities are facing challenges with charging station availability, although the panelists discuss citing-based tools available for use. 

• Policy restrictions need to be addressed in order to find innovative solutions that accommodate fleet operations, which may include longer charging times and limitations of fast charging infrastructure.

• There is a need for flexibility in policies and procurement rules as technology advances, new types of vehicles are available, and organizations assess what they have a need for.

Watch the video above to listen to the full panel discussion.