{"id":997288,"date":"2026-08-21T14:42:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T18:42:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/comed-ev-ambassador-program-spotlight-small-businesses-advancing-transportation-electrification-across-northern-illinois\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T14:42:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T18:42:10","slug":"comed-ev-ambassador-program-spotlight-small-businesses-advancing-transportation-electrification-across-northern-illinois","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/comed-ev-ambassador-program-spotlight-small-businesses-advancing-transportation-electrification-across-northern-illinois\/","title":{"rendered":"ComEd, EV Ambassador Program Spotlight Small Businesses Advancing Transportation Electrification Across Northern Illinois"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ComEd, EV Ambassador Program Spotlight Small Businesses Advancing Transportation Electrification Across Northern Illinois<\/b><\/p>\n

Event highlights how community-based outreach, education and fleet rebates are helping businesses adopt electric vehicles and reduce transportation costs<\/i><\/p>\n

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–
\nComEd today joined local small-business owners and community leaders at Steps Inc. Consulting in Chicago to highlight how electric vehicle (EV) rebate programs, community partnerships and customer education efforts are helping accelerate transportation electrification across northern Illinois.<\/p>\n

\nThe event showcased several small businesses that have leveraged ComEd EV rebates and resources to begin transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles. Attendees heard firsthand how participating businesses are reducing barriers to fleet electrification while learning about funding opportunities available through ComEd’s Business and Public Sector EV Purchase Program.<\/p>\n

\n“Creating opportunities for businesses and communities to affordably participate in the clean energy transition is essential to accelerating EV adoption across northern Illinois,” said Ajit Apte<\/b><\/a>, SVP of Customer Operations at ComEd<\/b>. “Through our EV Ambassador Program and EV rebate offerings, ComEd is helping connect customers with trusted community leaders, educational resources and financial incentives that make transportation electrification more accessible and affordable.”<\/p>\n

\nComEd launched its EV Ambassador Program to help expand awareness of electric vehicle resources, incentives and educational opportunities available to customers throughout northern Illinois. The program works with trusted community leaders who serve as local advocates, helping customers learn about EV ownership, charging infrastructure, available rebates and fleet electrification opportunities. Through one-on-one engagement, community events and educational outreach, EV Ambassadors help connect customers with the resources needed to participate in Illinois’ growing clean transportation economy.<\/p>\n

\nOne such ambassador is Nicole Wheatly, founder of Steps Inc. Consulting, who works directly with businesses and community members to raise awareness of available EV incentives and connect customers with resources that support transportation electrification.<\/p>\n

\nSince launching in 2025, ComEd’s EV Ambassador Program has engaged more than 350 customers through direct outreach and education efforts and supported more than 20 community events across northern Illinois. The program has helped generate interest in transportation electrification, contributing to 10 EV charging infrastructure and fleet electrification projects entering the development pipeline, five fleet electrification assessments and two electric vehicle installers joining the Electric Vehicle Service Provider network.<\/p>\n

\n“Serving as an EV Ambassador has been a natural extension of the work we already do at Steps Inc. Consulting, which is connecting people with opportunities that can help them grow and succeed,” said Nicole Wheatly, owner of Steps Inc. Consulting and ComEd EV Ambassador<\/b>. “It’s exciting to help fellow business owners learn about resources that can lower costs, support sustainability goals and position their businesses for the future.”<\/p>\n

\nAmong the businesses highlighted during the event was Bronzeville Community Development Partnership, a nonprofit organization which leveraged ComEd’s EV rebate offering to add an EV to its fleet. By transitioning a portion of its operations to an electric vehicle, the company expects to reduce fuel and maintenance costs while supporting broader sustainability goals.<\/p>\n

\nA Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise in Chicago also leveraged the rebate program to add an electric delivery vehicle to its fleet, demonstrating how businesses of all sizes can take advantage of available incentives to begin electrifying their operations.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cAs electric vehicle adoption continues to grow across Illinois, it is important that businesses of all sizes have access to the information, resources and incentives needed to participate in the transition to cleaner transportation,\u201d said Megha Lakhchaura, Illinois State Electric Vehicle Officer<\/b>. \u201cPrograms like ComEd\u2019s EV Ambassador initiative help connect local businesses with trusted guidance and funding opportunities, supporting fleet electrification while advancing the state’s broader transportation and clean energy goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nGrowing EV adoption remains a key component of Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Since 2024, ComEd has helped support the installation of more than 14,400 public and private charging ports and incentivized the purchase or lease of more than 3,900 electric vehicles across northern Illinois.<\/p>\n

\nIn 2026 alone, ComEd has:<\/p>\n