By: Terry Travis, Managing Partner, EVHybridNoire
Between Governor Pritzker’s state-level Electric Vehicle (EV) investments plus the growing presence of EV manufacturers, Illinois is becoming the heart of clean energy in the United States (some are even saying: the EV Silicon Valley). And the effects won’t just benefit the climate: there’s money to be made. The EV industry is booming with a combination of government funds and private investments, all of which are bringing plenty of jobs to the country (particularly in Illinois which ranks among the top states in the US for announced EV manufacturing jobs.) EVHybridNoire, the nation’s largest network of diverse EV drivers and enthusiasts, is leading the charge to ensure that this new age of transportation is built upon a firm commitment to equity and inclusion.
Late last year, Gov. Pritzker signed the Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act (REV) to bring EV businesses to Illinois. The incentives include income tax withholding for new employees (100% withheld for underserved or energy transition areas), tax exemptions for building materials, and credits for educational and vocational training. The Administration wants to make Illinois a hub for EV and battery production while also putting 1,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030.
As consumer interests rise and the incentives start flowing, prominent industry players have moved to Illinois to stake their claim. Take Rivian, for instance: the major electric truck, van and SUV manufacturer already employs over 5,000 people at their manufacturing plant in Normal. Likewise, the Canadian-based Lion Electric Company is opening a plant in Joliet, which will be the largest manufacturing plant for electric school buses and urban trucks in the U.S and employ 1,400 people. To meet the growing demand, Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced a $15M capital investment into Manufacturing Training Academies. In partnership with Rivian, Heartland Community College now has a EVES Manufacturing Training Academy to give students specialized training for jobs in EV manufacturing and Energy Storage.
It’s not just private companies bolstering the industry. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a federal investment into clean infrastructure. The federal government is dedicating up to $5 billion to fund a national EV charging network. Upon completion, drivers will have reliable and affordable charging stations every fifty miles along designated alternative fuel corridors (mostly interstate highways). This effort will make a significant impact on consumers’ “range anxiety”: fear that their charge will run out mid-trip. The NEVI funding comes with certain criteria: the charging stations must serve both urban and rural drivers, and 40% of the benefits must flow to disadvantaged communities as mandated by the federal government’s Justice40 Initiative. But for the most part, states have free reign to design plans that fit their needs, and the money can be used for private contracts. As the deadline for the funding proposals approaches, it is imperative that equity and inclusion remain front and center.
At EVHybridNoire, we engage with communities often left out of e-mobility discussions and work to shift the narrative to include diverse populations. Frontline and underrepresented communities stand to benefit the most from transportation electrification: they are overburdened by transportation emissions, poor air quality, and mobility costs. While the upsides of an electric transportation system will be apparent in frontline communities, these populations deserve to reap the economic benefits as well. To capitalize on these benefits, EVHybridNoire presents the following recommendations for the Illionis NEVI proposal.
From the ground level, NEVI-funded charging sites should be chosen with an eye towards residents, not just interstate travelers. By creating a network of charging stations on these routes, more drivers will be brought into the fold, especially those who don’t have access to at-home charging. Large contracts should be broken up so that smaller, more diverse contractors also secure work, and contractor selection requirements should include a variety of diversity targets. The state should fund workforce and development programs such as retraining electricians for e-mobility work and galvanizing groups that are not adequately represented in ownership and leadership of firms in the automobile, technician, and charging network industries. State-led programs should include significant incentives, information, and mentorship to both new and seasoned workers who need training to adapt. Illinois should also require robust community engagement plans in their proposals to ensure that electrification strategies are in line with community needs and priorities.
With the outpouring of federal funding for state-level electrification, the robust policies from Gov. Pritzker’s office, and the private investments from the likes of Rivian and Lion Electric Company, we are standing on the edge of a transportation revolution. It is crucial that we get it right.
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