Clean Energy to Communities - Village of Oak Park
The Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation (IACT) partnered with the Village of Oak Park(opens in new tab) from July to December 2024 to develop a roadmap for transitioning its municipal fleet to electric vehicles through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program(opens in new tab), a six-month peer learning cohort designed to help local governments develop strategic fleet electrification plans. As Oak Park’s Clean Cities and Communities coalition partner, IACT provided technical assistance, guidance, and custom analysis throughout the project.
Working alongside Oak Park staff, IACT supported the Village in evaluating its existing fleet and identifying opportunities to incorporate electric vehicles into future vehicle replacements. The project examined factors such as vehicle use, replacement timelines, charging requirements, vehicle storage, infrastructure needs, procurement processes, and total cost of ownership. IACT also helped Oak Park consider the broader planning and coordination needed to successfully implement fleet electrification, including engagement with internal departments, utility representatives, and community stakeholders.(opens in new tab)
The project included six workshops covering the major considerations involved in municipal fleet electrification, from establishing goals and assessing fleet data to evaluating charging sites, developing infrastructure plans, identifying funding opportunities, and preparing staff for the transition. IACT’s involvement helped connect the Village with technical resources and practical guidance that could be applied to Oak Park’s specific fleet and facilities.
The resulting Municipal Fleet Electrification Action Plan provides Oak Park with a strategic framework for moving toward fleet electrification. The plan outlines goals and timelines, vehicle replacement recommendations, charging infrastructure considerations, stakeholder engagement strategies, financial planning opportunities, and operations and maintenance needs. Through its partnership with Oak Park, IACT helped translate the C2C program’s resources and expertise into a customized plan that can guide the Village’s future investments in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure while supporting cleaner, more efficient municipal transportation.