Illinois Tech hosts third annual EV readiness awards honoring community leadership in electric vehicle transition

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Raj Echambadi President | Illinois Institute Of Technology

Illinois Tech hosts third annual EV readiness awards honoring community leadership in electric vehicle transition

Illinois Institute of Technology hosted the third annual EV Readiness Community Award Ceremony, recognizing 17 local governments in northern Illinois for their efforts in preparing for electric vehicle adoption. The event was organized in partnership with ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, bringing together municipal leaders, industry representatives, and elected officials.

Speakers at the ceremony included Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Senator Dick Durbin, ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones, and Illinois Tech President Raj Echambadi. Attendees viewed an electric vehicle fleet showcase and toured Illinois Tech’s energy infrastructure. This included a demonstration of the university’s smart microgrid—the first operational system of its kind in the United States—and an update on a trigeneration plant currently under construction that is expected to supply 95 percent of campus electricity needs by 2026.

“Illinois Tech is proud to host these awards and celebrate communities that are building a more innovative transportation future,” said Echambadi. “As a university committed to solving real-world problems through technology and education, we’re advancing the energy systems and workforce needed to power America’s economic competitiveness.”

Illinois Tech’s microgrid began operation in 2013 and has saved over $10 million while providing reliable power for campus activities. The system integrates solar panels, battery storage, and advanced controls capable of isolating from the main grid during emergencies to maintain uninterrupted service.

The university is also constructing a trigeneration facility designed to recycle excess heat from power production for heating and cooling 20 buildings on campus. When completed, this project is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent and conserve up to five million gallons of water annually.

“What we’ve created here is a model for urban energy systems of the future—flexible, efficient, and intelligent,” said Mohammad Shahidehpour, director of the Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation at Illinois Tech. “Our students are not just learning about clean energy—they’re building it.”

Communities honored at this year’s ceremony included Chicago (Gold status), River Forest, and Rolling Meadows. Since its start, the EV Readiness Program developed by ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus has supported 38 communities with streamlining permitting processes, planning municipal fleet transitions, and encouraging resident participation in electric vehicle adoption.

“The EV Readiness Program provides cities and counties across our region with the tools they need to lead the transition to electric vehicles,” said Quiniones. “Illinois Tech performs cutting-edge work in energy resilience, and this innovation is critical to building a more sustainable future.” 

The state aims to have one million electric vehicles on its roads by 2030 as part of its Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Partnerships between universities like Illinois Tech, utility companies such as ComEd, and local governments are seen as key components in reaching this goal.

Illinois Tech also participates in national initiatives like the EcoCAR EV Challenge; 46 students from the university are working on redesigning a Cadillac LYRIQ using automation technologies.

“This celebration is more than an awards ceremony,” said Echambadi. “It’s a glimpse into what’s possible when academia, government, and industry come together to solve society’s grand challenges.”

For more information about Illinois Institute of Technology or its programs related to energy innovation or sustainability research initiatives such as those led by its Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation—which brings together academic institutions with industry partners—visit https://www.iit.edu/.

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