Inside Illinois’ New EV Mandate

What’s Right-to-Charge?

Electric vehicles could be gathering enough momentum to become the dominant form of transportation within the decade. But that’s assuming they clear a significant roadblock: the availability of charging.

If your home or apartment complex isn’t designed to charge EVs, your only option may be to spend a few hours each week at a charging station — assuming there’s one within driving distance.

Illinois recently introduced legislation to clear the road for EV adoption. The new “right-to-charge” law requires all parking spots at new homes and multi-unit dwellings be properly wired for EV chargers. This means that new homes must either already include chargers or be designed so chargers can be easily installed.

Expanding EV Adoption

Illinois is the latest state to sign right-to-charge legislation into law — but it’s not the first. California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Virginia all have similar regulations in place, designed to make it easier for EV owners to fuel up.

In most cases, right-to-charge legislation is designed to help EV owners charge vehicles without having to pay a premium price for electricity or waiting hours for a free station. Lawmakers argue, if it’s easier to charge an EV, more people will be likely to purchase one.

Big Picture

According to civil engineering experts, widespread EV adoption could reduce carbon emissions, mitigate noise, and improve air quality, especially in urban areas. They also suggest measures to encourage near-term adoption are a must. The longer it takes for EVs to become commonly used, the longer it will take for these issues to be addressed.

Making it easier for people to charge their EVs is a necessary step to jump-starting widespread EV adoption. Initiatives like right-to-charge laws could put us all on a quieter, cleaner road in the not-so-distant future.

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