Illinois Governor JB Pritzker participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a state-of-the-art electric vehicle testing center. The facility, called the EV Innovation Hub, will be operated by TCCI, a company specializing in electric vehicle components. One of the main features of the hub will be the Climate Center for Innovation and Research, a 65-foot by 25-foot facility that can test electric vehicles in extreme weather conditions ranging from -30 degrees Fahrenheit to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
The testing center will have the capability to evaluate solar performance, humidity resistance, and ambient temperature effects on electric vehicles. It will also feature a 3-axle, EPA-certified electric chassis dynamometer, a tool that is rare for public use.
Governor Pritzker highlighted the investment in clean energy and electric vehicle industries in Illinois, stating that the state is becoming a promising destination for businesses in these sectors. The construction of the EV Innovation Hub is part of Illinois’ efforts to establish a presence in the growing electric vehicle market.
In addition to the testing facility, the innovation hub will also host an EV + Energy Workforce Training Academy. The academy aims to develop a skilled workforce for the electric vehicle industry by partnering with educational institutions such as Richland Community College, the University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering, the University of Illinois College of ACES, and Northern Illinois University. This collaborative effort will create pathways for students to enter the field of electric vehicles.
Illinois has set ambitious goals in the transition to clean energy and electric vehicles. The state plans to achieve a 100% carbon-free electric grid by 2045 and aims to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. These initiatives align with the clean energy agenda set by the Biden administration, which aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.