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MEDIA INFORMATION
Contact: Mark Bilek
Senior Director of Communications and Technology
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6082
Cell: (847) 652-0632
Email: mbilek@drivechicago.com

Contact: Jennifer Morand
Director of Public Relations and Social Media
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6084
Cell: (630) 391-1986
Email: jmorand@drivechicago.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POWERING CHICAGO ELECTRIFIES CHICAGO AUTO SHOW WITH
INDOOR EV TEST TRACK
Public Show Runs February 12-21, 2022
 

CHICAGO (Feb. 1, 2022) - The Chicago Auto Show will debut an all-new indoor electric vehicle track electrifying the consumer experience at the 2022 show. Fueled in part by Powering Chicago, the labor-management partnership between International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134 and the Electrical Contractors' Association of Chicago and Cook County, the indoor track will feature a variety of electric vehicles ranging from the BMW i4 M50 to the Kia EV6, among others, where attendees can learn about and compare EVs side-by-side. 

"Given the rapidly growing electric vehicle segment, the Chicago Auto Show serves as an ideal venue for attendees to learn about and experience brand-new EVs and explore whether or not owning one is right for them," said Chicago Auto Show Chairman Bill Haggerty. "Trained product specialists will be on hand throughout the entire show to highlight various aspects of the electric vehicles including technology, range and charging capabilities. The EV track builds on the momentum from our special edition summer show, where nearly 40 percent of attendees took a test drive or ride - a number we're hoping to top this year with a total of six total indoor test tracks!"

"We are grateful for Powering Chicago's partnership on this new test track to help educate consumers about this increasingly important segment of vehicles," continued Haggerty.
Powering Chicago will have a 73' interactive truck and trailer onsite to educate consumers on the capabilities of the union electricians and signatory contractors who install Chicagoland's electric vehicle infrastructure. Their goal is to educate consumers on items to consider for their home before purchasing an EV as well as the specific electrical components needed to power a home charger. Installation experts will be onsite to answer questions throughout the run of the show and explain the truck's capabilities, which is designed as a mobile field trip unit to be a resource to Chicago schools to educate kids on STEM activities and careers within electrical construction. 

"Powering Chicago is thrilled to be the premier sponsor of the 2022 Chicago Auto Show's first-ever electric vehicle track," said Powering Chicago Executive Director Elbert Walters III. "Electric vehicles are the future of automobiles and the expertly trained union electricians of IBEW Local 134 and their signatory contractors are ready to lead the charge towards that future. Powering Chicago and its partners are more than prepared to install the necessary infrastructure and components that power these vehicles. Powering Chicago's commitment to investing in our members ensures that the men and women hired to power this new generation of vehicles do so safely, on time and on budget."

There's also monetary incentive for Midwesterners to consider purchasing an electric vehicle. Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined governors from Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota in signing the Regional Electric Vehicle Midwest agreement to establish a five-state coalition aimed at strengthening electric vehicle production and improving charging infrastructure across the region. Beginning July 1, Illinois will offer a $4,000 rebate for a new or used electric vehicle. That could be coupled with a $7,500 federal rebate for eligible cars.

The Powering Chicago indoor EV track is one of six indoor test tracks at the Chicago Auto Show - the most test tracks ever offered inside the show. Consumers can also jump behind the wheel of the latest SUVs and trucks from Ford, Jeep, Ram and Toyota plus experience an additional EV track located in the Ford exhibit featuring Ford's F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E.

Tickets to the 2022 Chicago Auto Show are currently on sale at ChicagoAutoShow.com. The 2022 show runs Feb. 12-21 at McCormick Place and is open to the public 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, except for the final day (Presidents Day) when the show closes at 8 p.m. Adult ticket prices are $15; seniors ages 62 and older are $10; children ages 4-12 are $10; kids 3 and younger are free. The Chicago Auto Show will operate in full accordance with health and safety protocols required by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Check the website for the latest updates. 

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