Strengthening Transit Through Community Partnerships
The Towards Equitable Electric Mobility (TEEM) Community of Practice is a collaborative that includes Center for Neighborhood Technology and 30 other organizations across the country. Other Illinois partners are Respiratory Health Association, Bronzeville Community Development Partnership, Active Transportation Alliance, and Elevate Energy.
The coalition also includes groups in Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia, and is coordinated by California-based groups The Greenlining Institute and Forth. We joined the Together for Equitable Electric Mobility community in 2021.
We helped release the TEEM platform in February 2024. It offers recommendations to ensure a “just transition” – aimed at advancing racial and environmental justice through equitable electric mobility.
The electric mobility / racial equity connection
Historically redlined communities have long been targets for highway and transportation developments cutting through their neighborhoods. These inequitable transportation policies put communities of color at higher risk of health disparities because of tailpipe emissions and ongoing disinvestment, increasing the need for mobility equity and clean transportation access.
As federal and state investments in electric mobility increase, there’s an opportunity to fund transportation and climate solutions at the intersections of mobility equity, transportation electrification, and community building–particularly in communities of color.
Currently Center for Neighborhood Technology and our partners in Illinois are working to develop statewide maps to identify freight electrification needs and statewide outreach to better understand the needs of smaller municipalities navigating the electrification transition.
We’ve also created this Electric Vehicle Resource Library for use by muncipalities, community groups, drivers, and others looking for a place to start with navigating electrification in your community.
Electric Vehicle Resource Library
Are you wondering how to approach electrification in your community? The Illinois Cohort of TEEM has pulled together a resource library for individuals, organizations, and municipalities looking for a place to start with transportation electrification.
Please contact Julia Hage with questions, comments or suggestions for the resource library.
Jump to a topic:
EV 101 Resources
- 2-Pager: EV 101 Everything you need to know about driving electric
Considerations and advice before purchasing an EV - PlugStar
This is a resource to explore different types of electric vehicles - 2-Pager: Charging 101 Everything You Need to Know
Information and tips on EV charging - EERE: Alternative Fuels Data Center Home Page
Information about alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles
Myth-Busting
- Electric Vehicle Myths | US EPA
Myths and facts related to EVs - 2-Pager: The Truth Behind the Pushback
Beliefs and facts related to EVs - The Truth about Biofuels
Beliefs and facts related to biofuels - EVs or ethanol? Midwest eyes deep CO2 cuts in transportation.
Information on the debate between EVs and ethanol-fueled vehicles
EV Readiness for Governments
- EV Readiness for Community Leaders | US Department of Energy
Considerations for communities looking to adopt EV technology; Information about every stage from planning to implementation. - Public EV Charging | US Department of Energy
Information on individual and fleet vehicle charging, including information on Building Codes, Parking Ordinances, and Zoning Ordinances - EV Readiness Program - Mayors Caucus
Information on the EV Readiness Program (participants mostly located in suburbs of Chicago)
Technical Assistance Resources
- Search Technical Assistance Resources | US Department of Transportation
List of U.S. DOT Technical Assistance programs, processes, and resources, including EV-related technical assistance - Charging Forward: A Toolkit for Planning and Funding Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure | US Department of Transportation
Toolkit covering the stages of EV infrastructure development for rural entities (e.g., States, local communities, Tribes, transportation providers, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals) - The AchiEVE Toolkit
The AchiEVE Toolkit provides stakeholders with various models to advance electric mobility at the state and local levels.
Funding Resources
- Federal
- Justice40 Accelerator Tool
A comprehensive list of government and philanthropic funding opportunities available to climate justice organizations to share with your community. You can access the search and filter version here. - Department of Energy: Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP)
SCEP works with state, local, and Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, schools, and community partners to provide technical assistance and invest in place-based clean energy projects that aim to catalyze local economic development and create jobs, reduce energy costs, and avoid pollution. - Funding Opportunities · Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
Information and resources related to current EV funding opportunity announcements (FOAs), requests for information, and links to related opportunities
- Justice40 Accelerator Tool
- State
- Illinois EV and Sustainable Transportation Grants - April 2024 Update
Summary of EV and sustainable transportation grant programs in the State of Illinois - Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
- Individual Rebate Program
Application information on IEPA’s rebate program for Illinois residents that purchase a new or used all-electric vehicle from an Illinois licensed dealer
- Individual Rebate Program
- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT): National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program
Information on grant program that aims to build charging stations along interstate corridors. - Illinois Finance Authority
Information on federal funding opportunities that the Illinois Climate Bank has submitted applications for.
- Illinois EV and Sustainable Transportation Grants - April 2024 Update
- Utility
- ComEd
- Business & Public Sector EV Program
Information for Com-Ed commercial customers on current rebate programs for installing charging infrastructure and purchasing EVs. - Individual Rebate Programs
Information on income-based electric vehicle charger and installation rebate for Com-Ed customers.
- Business & Public Sector EV Program
- Ameren:
- Business Funding Resources
Information and resources on fleet electrification and charging for Ameren customers. - Residential Funding Resources
Information and resources on individual vehicle electrification and charging for Ameren customers.
- Business Funding Resources
- ComEd
Equity Considerations
- Mobility Equity Framework: How to Make Transportation Work for People - The Greenlining Institute
Report proposing a framework designed to elevate the values of social equity and community power and address structural inequities through an adaptable, customizable process for community, advocates, and transportation decision-makers - Ingredients for Equitable Electrification - The Greenlining Institute
Report identifying the six key factors to ensuring EV rebate programs are equitable - Equity Considerations in Electric Mobility Infrastructure Planning | US Department of Transportation
Information on how to create an equitable EV planning process, how to equitably engage communities, and how to use equity data - Report: Centering Equity in Charging Investments
Report outlining the need to center equity and the opportunities to center equity when implementing charging infrastructure - Electric Vehicles and Equity: Part 4 (pgs. 31-36)
Report outlining the challenges to equitable EV expansion and the strategies for overcoming barriers to equitable EV adoption
EV Readiness for Individuals
- Charging Electric Vehicles at Home | US Department of Energy
Information related to installing charging equipment, complying with regulations, and calculating EV charging. electricity costs - EV Charging for Multifamily Housing | US Department of Energy
Resources and information on EV charging for multi-family housing owners, multi-family housing residents, and examples of successful multi-family housing projects - Electric Vehicles: A Win-Win for Illinois Drivers & Utility Customers | Natural Resoruces Defense Council
Information and statistics on the benefits of EV use for drivers and utility customers in the State of Illinois
EV Readiness for Businesses
- Best Practices to Design Workplace Charging Programs
Information on the best practices for implementing workplace charging programs - Workplace EV Charging | US Department of Energy
Information and resources related to planning for workplace charging, installing workplace charging, managing workplace charging, and engaging employees
Freight Electrification
- Chicago Truck Data Portal
Traffic study and data on the truck traffic in the Chicagoland area, highlighting the importance of truck traffic in causing air pollution - Website: North American Council for Freight Efficiency
“Run on Less” program which showcases how efficiency technologies improve the bottom line for fleets and benefit the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions - Report: The Dirty Dozen The Impacts of Diesel Engine Pollution in Illinois | Respitory Health Association
Study and data related to diesel truck pollution impacts on air quality, community health, and death rates
Just Transition
- For Good Jobs & Clean Air: A Just Transition to Electrification
A report from Joliet-based nonprofit Warehouse Workers for Justice outlining the connections between zero-emission vehicle transition and a just transition for supply chain workers impacted by air pollution. - Just Transition Zine
A strategic framework for a just transition
