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The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the area’s new-car dealer association and producer of the Chicago Auto Show, announces Powering Chicago, the voice of the unionized electrical industry in Chicago and Cook County, as a premier sponsor of the first-ever Chicago Drives Electric event, Sept. 29-Oct. 2. 

In alignment with National Drive Electric week, Chicago Drives Electric is aimed at educating media, new-car dealers, and consumers on the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. In addition to putting interested parties behind the wheel of some of the latest EVs, event organizers are bringing in a variety of experts to help explain and address EV questions and concerns.

Although a burgeoning industry, Powering Chicago has long been at the forefront of the area’s steady shift toward EVs. Its member contractors have been installing EV chargers in the region since 2008 and, for decades, it has been training members on this specialized electrical work at the IBEW/NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech) in Alsip, Ill.

“Powering Chicago proudly supports CATA’s efforts to raise awareness about the benefits of EVs,” said Powering Chicago Executive Director Elbert Walters III. “Our highly trained members have installed EV chargers and infrastructure throughout the area for nearly 15 years. We look forward to sharing this expertise as a premier sponsor of the Chicago Drives Electric event.”

For an interactive look at a real charging station, Powering Chicago invites all attendees to tour its on-site Mobile Field Trip Truck, a 73-foot semi-trailer outfitted with current and emerging electrical technology. Aboard the truck, guests will also learn how Powering Chicago trains members and future electricians in the latest renewable energies, including EV charging technology, as part of its industry-leading apprenticeship program at IN-Tech. 

Powering Chicago will engage attendees in several ways throughout the event:

• Media: Panel Discussion: Your Electric Car Has Been Ordered, Now What? (Sept. 29) – Joining representatives from Charge Enterprises, CDK Global and ComEd, Powering Chicago’s Bob Hattier, business representative at IBEW Local 134, will discuss selecting contractors for EV charger installations, evaluating electrical upgrades and differences among charger levels. 
• CATA Dealers: Panel Discussion: Preparing Your Dealership for the EV Revolution (Sept. 30) – Along with executives from Charge Enterprises, Powering Chicago will have Gina Dooley, project manager, EV division, at Jamerson and Bauwens Electrical Contractors on the panel to provide guidance on dealership EVSE needs for service bays, showrooms and parking lots.
• Attending Public: Mobile Field Trip Truck Tours (Sept. 29, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2) – Tour Powering Chicago’s 73-foot semi-trailer for an interactive look at current and emerging electrical technology, including a real EV charging station.

“Powering Chicago has been a leader in the EV space for many years and we are grateful to have their support and expertise on-hand for this experiential and educational event,” said Jennifer Morand, CATA president. “Powering Chicago participated in the 2022 Chicago Auto Show Indoor EV Track as a helpful partner in educating the public on EV charging and installation, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them at Chicago Drives Electric and beyond.”

For more information on Powering Chicago, visit PoweringChicago.com, and for more information regarding the event, visit: https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/about-the-show/chicago-drives-electric-2022. Chicago Drives Electric test drives are reserved exclusively for the public who pre-registered for the event. A waitlist has opened at ChicagoAutoShow.com.

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