Will County Seeks Residents' Opinions On Electric Vehicles

JOLIET, IL — Will County residents will be asked for their input beginning next month about what infrastructure is needed in the county for owners of electric and other alternative fuel vehicles as the county considers the growing need for sustainable transportation options.

The survey, which is the first of its kind in Illinois, will be available beginning Jan. 3 as Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant asks residents to participate in gathering information about electric and hybrid vehicles. The survey asks county residents to share their perceptions of alternative fuel vehicles — including if they have owned or plan to own one in the future.

The survey results will help identify possible locations for future charging and fueling stations that would make the most impact on residents, visitors, and businesses, county officials said.

“There is a fast-growing demand for alternative fuel vehicles and we’re working to prepare our communities for the future,” Bertino-Tarrant said in a statement issued in a news release. “This is the first countywide planning effort in Illinois for alternative fuel vehicles and their infrastructure needs. I hope residents participate in this survey to ensure we are properly addressing our needs.”

The Will County Alternative Fuels Readiness Plan will present strategies to meet the infrastructure needs of electric, hydrogen, biodiesel, ethanol, natural gas vehicles, and other alternative fuels in the next five years, the county said. As the first countywide plan being developed in the state, the plan is primarily funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the county said.

“As an early adopter when it comes to new technologies, and someone who owns an electric car I can appreciate the need to ‘fuel our future,’” Will County Board Democratic Leader Jackie Traynere said in the release. “This plan will ensure that Will County remains ahead of the curve with infrastructure and transportation planning.”

Once completed, the plan will support local governments and businesses as they plan to meet the increased local demand for alternative fuel vehicles. It will identify local infrastructure needs and provide resources to support planning efforts, grant applications, and educational efforts, county officials said.

“Will County has long been home to successful energy and transportation clusters that drive growth and prosperity in the region,” Will County Center for Economic Development President and CEO Doug Pryor said. “We are again poised to lead as we embrace to the evolution of transportation and energy. This plan is an important step toward positioning Will County and its businesses to meet the opportunities presented by the rapidly changing future of energy in transportation.”

The survey will be open beginning on January 3. To find the survey or to learn more about the project, please click here.