Eaton announced it will provide technology and support for a major electric vehicle effort in Illinois to build an EV infrastructure and deploy as many as 1,000 Mitsubishi “i” electric vehicles in the Bloomington-Normal area by 2014. The goal of the Bloomington-Normal EV Task Force initiative is to make the region known as “EVTown.” The group’s long-term electric vehicle infrastructure plan anticipates a phased approach to correspond with the expected demand for electric vehicles within the community.
Eaton offers a complete line of electric vehicle chargers for residential and industrial application and has a presence in communities across North America. The company will supply the EV charging infrastructure for the initial phase rollout, which is planned to take place throughout 2011. Eaton also will provide awareness and technical training and charging station educational opportunities for the Bloomington-Normal area, including residents, businesses and government officials.
“Through strong collaborations with communities like Bloomington-Normal, Eaton is developing electric charging infrastructures that will help electric vehicle drivers confidently go about their daily business and reduce ‘range anxiety,’ ” says Tom Schafer, vice president of Eaton’s Commercial Distribution Products Division.
