Electric Vehicles

• Find a Charging Station for EVs
• EV Smart: Explore EV options, calculate your savings and more
• Illinois rebate for new EVs (Please note the Illinois rebate program will re-open when additional funding is available)
• Federal tax credit
  • NEW EVs
  • USED EVs
  • EV Charging Stations
• Find the right electricity rate to maximize savings on your electricity bill.
• USDOE Blueprints
  • Fleet Electrification
  • EV Charging Infrastructure for the Community
• Find Used EVs

EVs have several advantages over conventional vehicles:

• Energy efficient. EVs convert over 77% of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels. Conventional gasoline vehicles only convert about 12%–30% of the energy stored in gasoline to power at the wheels.
• Lower emissions. In Bensenville, greenhouse gas emissions caused by on-road transportation account for approximately 25% of total emissions. EVs do not emit tailpipe emissions, which makes them a cleaner option to operate compared to gasoline or diesel vehicles, especially if charged with renewable energy.
• Improved air quality. Lower emissions lead to better local air quality.
• Performance benefits. Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation and stronger acceleration.
• Reduced maintenance costs. EVs have fewer moving parts and don’t require oil changes, tune-ups, cooling system flushes, and other common maintenance services needed for traditional vehicles.
• Reduced energy dependence. Electricity is a domestic energy source.
• Equity. Our community is applying for grants to install EV charging stations in town, to ensure that our residents have access to EV chargers. We are also posting information about EV incentives on our website and social media, to let residents know about available funding opportunities that could make EVs more affordable.

Types of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - EV charging equipment is available in three different levels, depending upon the rate at which the battery is charged and the type of power (i.e. AC or DC)

• Level 1 - Plugs into a standard outlet (120 vots) with an average charging rate of 2-5 miles of range per hour of charging. Typically found at home or the workplace.
• Level 2 - Requires heavy-duty electrical circuit and plug (240 volts) with an average charging rate of 10-20 miles of rnage per hour of charging. Can be installed at home or the workplace.
• Level 3 (DC fast chargers) - 80% charge in 20-30 minutes (480 volts). Typically found at a high traffic areas such as rest stops and shopping center, not at home or the workplace.

The Zoning regulations in Municipal Code Section 10-7-4C28 and Municipal Code Section 10-11-2 are intended to facilitate EVCS charging installation, and to assure that it is no more difficult to site EVCS than any other equipment or use.

All permit information related to EV charger installation can be found here.

More information specific to EV Charging Station permitting will be added to this page as it is developed and released by the Village in coordination with the work that staff is performing through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus EV Readiness program. Please stay tuned as Bensenville continues to work towards becoming an EV friendly community.”

(625 ILCS 5/11-1308)

    Sec. 11-1308. Unauthorized use of parking places reserved for electric vehicles.

    (a) For the purposes of this Section:

    "Electric vehicle" means a battery-powered electric vehicle operated solely by electricity or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that operates on electricity and gasoline and has a battery that can be recharged from an external source.

    "Electric vehicle charging station" means any facility or equipment that is used to charge a battery or other energy storage device of an electric vehicle.

    (b) It shall be prohibited to park a non-electric vehicle in an electric vehicle charging station designated for use by electric vehicles, including an electric vehicle charging station on any private or public offstreet parking facility. A person may park only an electric vehicle in an electric vehicle charging station space designated for use by electric vehicles.

    (c) Any person or local authority owning or operating any public or private offstreet parking facility may, after notifying the police or sheriff's department, remove or cause to be removed to the nearest garage or other place of safety any non-electric vehicle parked within an electric vehicle charging station space designated for use by electric vehicles.

    (d) It shall not be a defense to a charge under this Section that the sign or notice posted at the electric vehicle charging station or the designated parking space does not comply with applicable rules, regulations, or local ordinances, if a reasonable person would be made aware by the sign or notice on or near the parking space that the space is reserved for electric vehicles.

    (e) Any person found guilty of violating the provisions of subsection (b) shall be fined $75 in addition to any costs or charges connected with the removal or storage of the non-electric vehicle; but municipalities by ordinance may impose a fine up to $100.

(Source: P.A. 99-172, eff. 1-1-16.)

Link to full text here.