Electric Vehicles in Oak Park

1. Review your options for EVs and EV Charging Stations.

2. Understand the basics of safety for charging and EVs. 

3. Find nearby Charging Stations for EVs

• Alternative Fueling Station Locator
• PlugShare
• Park Oak Park app

4. Register your Electric Vehicle with ComEd.

5. Choose an Electric Vehicle Charging Station installer who is certified with the Illinois Commerce Commission.

6. 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
• Federal tax credit:
  • New EVs
  • Used EVs
  • EV Charging Stations
• Request a FREE public EV charging station from Cook County
• Find the right electricity rate to maximize savings on your electricity bill.
• USDOE Blueprints
  • Fleet Electrification
  • EV Charging Infrastructure for the Community
• 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 Oak Park, 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. 

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.

Oak Park residents and business owners are welcome to install EV charging stations at their property, however a permit is required.

EV charging station guidelines can be found here(PDF, 209KB).

Federal and State laws and incentives can be found here.

EV charging station applications are reviewed within 3-5 business days.

EV charging station inspections are typically performed within 24 hours upon request.

For more information on the permitting process to install an EV charging station, please click here or email permits@oak-park.us.

With the long-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in mind, the Village has implemented a user fee of 25 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for electric vehicle charging stations owned and operated by the Village.

Officials say the fee will help ensure the long-term financial viability of the Village’s charging station network while also providing a sustainable path forward in the effort to expand access to charging station infrastructure, particularly for residents without access to private parking facilities.

Electric vehicle owners interested in using the Village’s 13 publicly accessible EV charging stations are encouraged to download the ChargePoint mobile app via the App Store or Google Play. From here, drivers can search for and navigate to available stations, monitor charging activity, and pay for their charging session with their preferred payment method, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and credit or debit card.

The 25 cents per kilowatt hour fee matches the amount charged by the Park District of Oak Park to use its public charging stations and is in line with the industry best practices. 

Increasing access to electric vehicle charging station infrastructure is one of the goals outlined in the Climate Ready Oak Park plan adopted in 2022. The plan points to greenhouse gas emissions from conventional cars and trucks as being the second largest contributor toward climate change in Oak Park.