Route 66 Electric Corridor to run through Lincoln
State program will provide two car charges to the city

[December 03, 2014]  LINCOLN - The City of Lincoln was one of eight communities recently named by the State of Illinois as part of the “Illinois Route 66 Electric Corridor,” a new network of charging stations to be established along historic Rt. 66. The Illinois Route 66 Electric Corridor will connect communities along the 300-mile stretch from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River with a network of high-power electric vehicle (‘EV”) charging stations. The network will make it possible for EV drivers to “get their kicks” between Chicago and St. Louis, two of the key urban markets for electric vehicles in the nation, with plenty of re-charging options.

The other cities named as part of the Corridor were Plainfield, Dwight, Pontiac, Normal, Springfield, Carlinville, and Edwardsville. Each of the communities on the Corridor will receive at least one fast charging station capable of charging vehicles with either CHAdeMO or SAE connectors within 15-20 minutes and one Level 2 charging station capable of charging most electric vehicles in 3-4 hours.

Installation of the charging stations will begin this month at some locations, with targeted completion of the entire project by summer 2015. The statewide project will cost the State of Illinois approximately $1 million and is supported by auto manufacturers, including BMW, Illinois-based Mitsubishi, and Nissan.

“The City of Lincoln is excited to be included in this project,” said Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder. “It was our pleasure this past summer to welcome the State of Illinois’ 2014 Electric Vehicle Relay to town at the Lincoln Depot. Discussions started during that visit with representatives from the Governor’s Office that ultimately led to our inclusion as part of this Corridor.”

The Mayor stated that the City is hoping to place the donated charging stations at the restored Lincoln Depot next year as that facility once again becomes a hub for transportation needs. During the EV Relay this past summer it was announced that the Lincoln Eaton manufacturing facility would be donating a permanent Level 2 charging station to the City through Eaton’s community giving program.

“This combined charging capacity is great news for electric vehicle commuters and tourists as well as the City,” Snyder said. “We’re looking forward to having them travel the ‘Mother Road,’ stop in Lincoln for re-charging, and enjoy all of our local amenities. It will be a benefit for them and a boon for our local businesses.”

[City of Lincoln]