City guide
EV charging in Chicago, IL
Chicago is scaling public EV charging with federal, state, utility, and city support. A 2024 USDOT CFI grant funds the Charge Up Chicago project to add chargers at libraries, airport lots, and community hubs. ComEd’s make-ready rebates lower infrastructure costs, while Illinois EPA awards and IDOT’s NEVI program expand DC fast corridors across the metro area.
Coverage is strongest in the Loop, Near North Side, and major retail corridors, with additional sites at park-and-ride facilities and neighborhood commercial nodes. Networks include Tesla, ChargePoint, EVgo, and Electrify America, with new projects emphasizing multi-port DC fast reliability and equitable access in underserved areas.
PlugMapper references AFDC, City of Chicago planning documents, ComEd materials, and Illinois EPA releases; data are validated against official 2024–2025 publications.
Chicago, IL EV charging snapshot
Chicago hosts can combine ComEd make-ready support with IEPA grants and federal funds to accelerate public Level 2 and DCFC projects.
Charge Up Chicago will add public chargers at libraries, airport lots, and community hubs. Source: City of Chicago press release, Sept 2024.
Illinois EPA awarded $25.1M for 643 DCFC ports at 141 sites. Source: IEPA news release, Apr 10, 2024.
Business & Public Sector Make-Ready rebate; 10-port cap per project; equity prioritization. Sources: ComEd fact sheet/terms, 2024–2025.
Minimum 50 kW; project maximum applies. Sources: ComEd fact sheet and local program summaries, 2024–2025.
Plan charging routes with the PlugMapper map
Use PlugMapper to compare downtown garages, neighborhood sites, and corridor fast chargers; filter by connector, power level, and access hours.
- Sort by total ports to prioritize robust sites; highlight 24/7 locations near expressways and Metra stations for faster turnarounds.
- Show equity-focused additions funded by CFI and state programs; surface library and airport-area chargers from current city plans.
- Quickly switch between CCS and J3400/NACS; flag CHAdeMO availability for legacy vehicles at selected DC fast hubs.
Map coverage refreshes every six hours from AFDC and local utility feeds. Availability and pricing may change; confirm with the station operator before your trip.
Top EV charging stations in Chicago, IL
Ordered by total public charging ports available, these five locations provide the greatest capacity for EV drivers across the city.
- Greenway Parking Garage - Tesla Destination60 W Kinzie, Chicago, IL24 total portsTesla Destination
- Kingsbury Pl - Garage360 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL16 total portsEVOKE
- The Maxwell - Tesla Supercharger1100 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL14 total portsTesla
- LAVIN FAMILY PAVILION259 East Erie Street, Chicago, IL13 total portsBlink Network
- Chicago, IL - North Dearborn Street (Pay to Park, Floor 2) - Tesla Destination181 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL12 total portsTesla Destination
Need overnight charging? Toggle the map to Level 2 sites and look for garage locations with 24/7 access. Driving for hire? The fast-charge filter highlights plugs that meet local TLC or taxi requirements.
PlugMapper combines operator feeds, OpenStreetMap context, and user feedback. Spot an update? Open the station detail page to share changes so we can alert the network owner.
Incentives and rebates for installing EV chargers
Chicago hosts can combine ComEd make-ready support with IEPA grants and federal funds to accelerate public Level 2 and DCFC projects.
City initiatives
- Chicago Moves Electric – Infrastructure Framework
City plan guiding charger deployment, including curbside pilots and community-focused sites supported by federal and state funding.
View program details - Charge Up Chicago (CFI-funded)
USDOT CFI award supports chargers at library branches, airport cell-phone lots, and community organizations.
View program details
Utility programs
- ComEd Business & Public Sector Make-Ready
Rebates for make-ready infrastructure: up to $8,000 per L2 port; up to $1,000/kW for DCFC (≤$500,000), with equity prioritization.
View program details - ComEd Residential Charger Rebate
Rebates up to $3,750 for residential Level 2 charger purchase and installation in 2024, subject to terms and budgets.
View program details
State & federal support
- Illinois EPA – Driving a Cleaner Illinois
Grant program funding public DC fast charging statewide; Round 1 awarded 643 DCFC ports in 2024.
View program details - IDOT – NEVI Program (Illinois)
Federal formula funding to build out DC fast corridors across Illinois; statewide project summaries and round updates.
View program details
Neighborhood coverage
Dense garage Level 2 plus emerging DCFC near expressways and major parking structures; strong daytime demand from commuters and visitors.
Hotels and retail garages offer multi-port Level 2; DC fast sites serve ride-hail demand and weekend traffic.
Rapid commercial growth adds private and public charging at mixed-use developments and structured parking.
New public charging prioritized under equity-focused grants; anchor sites near campuses and community venues.
Airport-area charging and corridor DCFC along I-90/I-294; library and community locations expanding via CFI funding.
Trusted resources
- City of Chicago – Chicago Moves Electric
City framework for EV charging growth and public engagement.
Visit resource - ComEd EV Business Programs
Official fact sheet for make-ready rebates and terms.
Visit resource - Illinois EPA – EV Charging Awards
Round 1 DC fast-charging awards and program overview.
Visit resource - AFDC Station Locator
DOE’s official database of public charging stations and connectors.
Visit resource
Frequently asked questions
What new chargers are planned under Charge Up Chicago?
The city will deploy public chargers at library branches, airport cell-phone lots, and community hubs using 2024 CFI funds.
What utility support exists for installing chargers?
ComEd’s make-ready program offers up to $8,000 per Level 2 port and up to $1,000/kW (≤$500,000) for DCFC, with equity prioritization.
Where can I find corridor fast charging?
IDOT’s NEVI program funds DC fast chargers along interstates across Illinois; many sites serve Chicago’s outbound corridors.
How does winter affect EV charging in Chicago?
Expect slower charging and reduced range in very cold weather; precondition batteries and plan extra time at fast chargers.
Which networks are common in the city?
Tesla, ChargePoint, EVgo, and Electrify America operate across downtown and neighborhoods; check PlugMapper for connector types and power.
Nearby cities
- Evanston, IL
- Oak Park, IL
- Naperville, IL
Market insights shaping local charging
CFI and IEPA awards add chargers at civic sites and commercial corridors, emphasizing multi-port DC fast reliability in underserved areas.
Make-ready rebates reduce upfront costs for hosts, especially multifamily and public-access sites within equity-eligible communities.
Plans include chargers near O’Hare and Midway to support ride-hail and regional travel, easing downtown queues.
Library branches provide trusted, well-distributed sites for Level 2 and DC fast chargers, improving geographic balance.
Explore Chicago’s verified EV chargers
Plan around multi-port hubs and equity-focused additions. Filter by connector, speed, and access hours.