Committee on Transportation & Public Way City Council Meeting March 24, 2021
Call for Subject-Matter Hearings on Chicago's Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
WHEREAS, approximately 99% of vehicles on the road today in the United States are powered by internal combustion engines; and
WHEREAS, the transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions nationally, with vehicles producing approximately 28% of emissions nationwide and 24% in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, diesel fuel negatively impacts the environment by emitting nitrogen oxides, which have an atmospheric lifetime of more than 120 years; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, diesel engines damage crops, trees, and other vegetation due to their production of ground-level ozone and contribution to acid rain that impacts waterways and enters the human food chain; and
WHEREAS, electric vehicles have lower maintenance costs and lower costs of charging compared with gasoline prices, which often offset their higher upfront price over time; and
WHEREAS, General Motors recently committed to phasing out sales of gas-powered cars and light trucks and sell only battery-powered vehicles that produce no emissions by 2035; and
WHEREAS, Tesla, Ford, and Volkswagen plan to introduce dozens of new electric models in the years ahead; and
WHEREAS, approximately 80% owners plug in their electric vehicles at home and charge overnight; and
WHEREAS, a majority of Chicago homes are located in multi-unit buildings; and
WHEREAS, Chicagoans who park their cars on the street or in larger apartment or condo buildings are frequently unable to charge at home; and
WHEREAS, existing charging infrastructure is not always accessible to all electric-vehicle owners, as it is sometimes specific to certain vehicles or located in expensive parking garages; and
WHEREAS, in April 2020, the Chicago City Council approved an ordinance that increased requirements for electricity vehicle-ready a...
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