ComEd extends electrification plan in Illinois, committing a fresh $168M toward EV charger and purchase incentives
ComEd confirmed that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved its second Beneficial Electrification Plan. This plan builds upon an existing investment and will commit an additional $168 million over three years to support its Illinois ComEd customers who purchase or lease an EV or install a charger.
Commonwealth Edison, known more commonly as “ComEd,” is a 118-year-old company that currently operates as a subsidiary of Exelon. ComEd is hands-down the largest energy provider in Illinois and has made considerable contributions to EV adoption in the Land of Lincoln.
In 2023, ComEd proposed its first Beneficial Electrification (BE) Plan, which was approved under the guidance of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) signed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in 2021. ComEd’s first BE Plan comprised a $231 million investment between 2023 and 2025.
Since February 2024, the energy company has used those funds to help Illinois residents purchase and install nearly 5,000 public and private EV charging ports (Level 2 and DCFC) and incentivize the purchases or leases of almost 1,000 new and pre-owned electric fleet vehicles. During this period, Illinois said it saw EV registrations grow nearly four times faster than the US as a whole.
ComEd has committed another $168 million with BE Plan 2 to keep the momentum in Illinois EV adoption going, offering incentives through 2028.
ComEd commits to EV incentives in Illinois through 2028
According to a release from ComEd, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved its second BE Plan, enabling the energy company to invest approximately $168 million more in EV incentives in Illinois from 2026 to 2028.
As mentioned above, BE Plan 2 builds upon ComEd’s original $268 million investment, which expires at the end of the year. It will help residential and commercial customers transition to EVs. Per ComEd president and CEO, Gil C. Quiniones:
The shift to EVs is a major milestone on the road to Illinois’ clean energy future, and it is part of a broader effort to electrify more of our region’s energy system. Through the expansion of our Beneficial Electrification programs, ComEd is helping to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and enable all communities to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that flow from the global energy transformation.
Per ComEd, here’s how the $168 million in fresh funding will be broken down across EV incentive programs for Illinois customers:
- $11 million toward the Residential EV Charger and Installation Program: Offers rebates of up to $2,500 per household to support the purchase and installation of residential Level 2 electric vehicle chargers.
- $82 million toward the Business and Public Sector EV Purchase Program: Offers rebates for the purchase or lease of new or pre-owned fleet EVs of all weight classes.
- $44 million toward the Business and Public Sector Make-Ready Program: Rebates for costs associated with making sites ready for public or private Level 2 of DC Fast Charging equipment.
- $11 million toward a Customer Education and Awareness Program: Fund multiple efforts to empower customers to make informed decisions about vehicle electrification and charging infrastructure deployment. Includes free access to ComEd support tools including Fleet Electrification Assessments, EV Toolkits, and training programs for municipalities interested in achieving “EV Ready” status, plus free Fleet Electrification Assessments.
- $11 million toward ComEd’s Research and Development Program: Will evaluate and demonstrate the impact of new transportation and electrification technologies.
- $9 million toward a Portfolio Program: Funds a variety of initiatives spanning across multiple programs, to support a successful deployment of BE Plan 2 as a whole.
ComEd also stated that future EV-centric projects from 2026 onward located in, or primarily serving, low-income or Equity Investment Eligible Communities (EIECs) in Illinois, will be eligible for higher rebate amounts and receive more than 50% of the BE Plan 2 budget. So far in its BE Plan, over 70% of its awarded rebates have gone to low-income customers, businesses, and public sector organizations in low-income and EIECs.
As an Illinois native, this investment news makes me happy and proud. You can learn more about ComEd’s EV program here, or see if you qualify for any EV tax incentives at the state level (in any state) by checking out this detailed breakdown.
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Mazda calls it a “dream car.” The EZ-60 is about the size of a Tesla Model Y, and it will be sold globally. After racking up over 20,000 pre-orders in just over two weeks, Mazda’s new electric SUV is now arriving at dealerships across China.
Mazda’s EZ-60 electric SUV reaches dealerships in China
The EZ-60 is Mazda’s first electric SUV from its joint venture with Changan Auto. Following the EZ-6, it’s the second dedicated Mazda EV to land in China.
After its debut on April 23, Changan Mazda announced that the EZ-60 had secured over 10,000 pre-orders in 24 hours, a new record for joint-venture electric SUVs. With the current tally at over 20,000, Mazda’s new electric SUV is now arriving at dealerships across China.
The EZ-60 is based on Changan’s hybrid platform and uses a CATL LFP battery for a CLTC range of up to 600 km (372 miles). It’s also available with a 1.5L gasoline engine, providing a combined range of over 1,300 km.
To keep pace in China’s competitive EV market, Mazda’s electric SUV is specifically designed for Chinese buyers.
It includes “a number of world-first technologies,” including a 100″ naked-eye 3D head-up display (HUD), voice recognition, and advanced safety systems.
Mazda’s new EZ-60 electric SUV is about the same size as a Tesla Model Y, measuring 4,850 mm in length, 1,935 mm in width, and 1,620 mm in height.
To lure potential buyers, Mazda launched a deposit program this week. With an initial 10 yuan deposit, buyers can grow their account by 10 yuan every day with an “expansion code.”
Test drives are expected to be available in July, with the first customer deliveries set to follow in August. Like the EZ-6 sedan, Mazda’s electric SUV will be sold in several global markets, including Europe, starting next year. It will launch under the name CX-6e.
In Europe, the electric sedan is called the Mazda 6e. It will be available in two battery packs: 68.8 kWh or 80 kWh, offering a WLTP driving range of 479 km (300 miles) and 552 km (343 miles), respectively.
More info, including final specs and prices for the global version, will be revealed closer to launch. Check back soon for the latest.
Source: CarNewsChina, Changan Mazda
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Environment
Trump will hold a rally at U.S. Steel as investors seek clarity on Nippon deal. Here’s what we know
President Donald Trump will hold a rally Friday at a U.S. Steel plant near Pittsburgh, a week after signaling that he had cleared a controversial merger with Japan’s Nippon Steel.
Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at 5 p.m. ET at U.S. Steel’s Irvin Works in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, according to the White House. Investors and union members will listen for answers from the president on what shape the deal he announced between U.S. Steel and Nippon will take.
Trump described the deal as a “partnership” in a May 23 post on his social media platform Truth Social. The president said U.S. Steel’s headquarters would remain in Pittsburgh and Nippon would invest $14 billion over 14 months in the more than 120-year-old American industrial icon.
Trump told reporters on Sunday that the deal is an “investment, it’s a partial ownership, but it will be controlled by the USA.” But the White House and the companies have provided little detail to the public on how the deal is structured since Trump’s announcement.
U.S. Steel has described the deal as a “merger” in which it will become a “wholly owned subsidiary” of Nippon Steel North America but continue to operate as separate company, according to an April 8 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sources familiar with the matter told CNBC’s David Faber that Nippon is expected to close its acquisition of U.S. Steel at $55 per share, the original offer the Japanese steelmaker made before President Joe Biden rejected the deal in January. Biden blocked Nippon’s proposed acquisition on national security grounds, arguing that it would jeopardize critical supply chains.
But Trump ordered a new review of the deal in April, softening his previous opposition to Nippon buying U.S. Steel. The president announced the “partnership” one day after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States was supposed to conclude its review and make a recommendation on whether the companies had found ways to “mitigate any national security risks.”
‘National security agreement’
Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick told CNBC on Tuesday that the U.S. government will have a “golden share” that will allow it to decide on a number of board seats. U.S. Steel will have an American CEO and a majority of the board will come from the U.S. McCormick said.
“It’s a national security agreement that will be signed with the U.S. government,” McCormick told CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “There’ll be a golden share that will essentially require U.S. government approval of a number of the board members and that will allow the United States to ensure production levels aren’t cut.”
Nippon will “have certainly members of the board and this will be part of their overall corporate structure,” McCormick told CNBC. White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro told reporters Thursday that “Nippon Steel is going to have some involvement, but no control of the company.”
“U.S. Steel owns the company,” Navarro said. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC on Friday that the details of the Nippon Steel deal “remain confidential, relatively.”
“The underlying principle is that the United States should have control over key critical sectors, whether it’s basic manufacturing or high tech,” Greer told “Squawk Box.” “In the event that foreign countries or foreign individuals or firms want to acquire these companies or have large investments, the U.S. has to maintain control of things that matter.”
The United Steelworkers, which originally opposed the deal, has said the union “cannot speculate about the impact” of Trump’s announcement “without more information.”
“Our concern remains that Nippon, a foreign corporation with a long and proven track record of violating our trade laws, will further erode domestic steelmaking capacity and jeopardize thousands of good, union jobs,” USW President David McCall said in a statement.
Environment
Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV is here as IONIQ 9 deliveries kick off across the US
Hyundai handed over one of the first IONIQ 9 models to customers in the US on Friday, marking the start of deliveries for its new three-row electric SUV.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 deliveries are now underway in the US
Just over two months after the first models rolled off the assembly line at Hyundai’s new EV plant in Georgia in March, deliveries are now underway.
Hyundai delivered one of the first IONIQ 9 models to customers in Georgia. The owners, Jennifer and Dwayne Maynard, traded in their IONIQ 5 for the larger electric SUV.
“We loved our IONIQ 5, but the IONIQ 9 offers everything we need and more for our family and our adventures,” Jennifer Maynard explained.
With up to 2,472 liters (87 cubic feet), Hyundai’s three-row SUV boasts more interior cargo space than a Ford Explorer (2,492 liters).
To showcase the spaciousness of the IONIQ 9, Hyundai launched a new marketing campaign, “Space to Connect,” earlier this month, offering a glimpse inside the seven-seat family hauler.
Not only does the SUV have “class-leading” interior space, but it’s also loaded with Hyundai’s latest tech and software.
The interior features a panoramic curved display with over 24″ of screen space, including dual 12.3″ driver display and infotainment screens.
Hyundai announced that 2026 IONIQ 9 prices start at just over $60,500, including a $1,600 destination fee. That’s for the base RWD model, which has a range of up to 335 miles. The AWD trim, with 303 horsepower and 320 miles range, starts at under $65,000.
Like the upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5, Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV features a built-in NACS port, allowing you to access Tesla’s Supercharger network. Using a 350 kW DC fast charger, the IONIQ 9 can recharge from 10% to 80% in about 24 minutes.
While it’s still available, the IONIQ 9 qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit, which could lower prices to as low as $53,055.
| 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 Model | EV Powertrain | Drivetrain | Driving Range (miles) |
Starting Price (including destination fee) |
| IONIQ 9 RWD S | 160-kW (215-HP) Electric Motor |
Rear- Wheel Drive |
335 | $60,555 |
| IONIQ 9 AWD SE | 226.1 kW (303-HP) Dual Electric Motors |
All-Wheel Drive |
320 | $64,365 |
| IONIQ 9 AWD SEL | 226.1-kW (303-HP) Dual Electric Motors |
All-Wheel Drive |
320 | $67,920 |
| IONIQ 9 AWD PERFORMANCE LIMITED |
314.6-kW (422-HP) Dual Electric Motors |
All-Wheel Drive |
311 | $72,850 |
| IONIQ 9 AWD PERFORMANCE CALLIGRAPHY |
314.6-kW (422-HP) Dual Electric Motors |
All-Wheel Drive |
311 | $76,590 |
| IONIQ 9 AWD PERFORMANCE CALLIGRAPHY DESIGN |
314.6-kW (422-HP) Dual Electric Motors |
All-Wheel Drive |
311 | $78,090 |
With deliveries now underway, there are a few deals that are worth checking out. Hyundai is offering a $5,000 cash bonus on all IONIQ 9 trims. With the $7,500 credit, you can snag up to $12,500 in upfront savings
Leases start as low as $419 for 36 months, which is even more affordable than a Toyota Highlander XLE Hybrid right now. If you’re looking for something smaller, the 2025 IONIQ 5 is available with leases starting at $209 per month.
Until June 2, Hyundai will give you a free ChargePoint Level 2 charger with the purchase or lease of a 2026 IONIQ 9 or 2025 IONIQ 5. Earlier today, we learned that Hyundai could raise vehicle prices as soon as next week.
Ready to check out Hyundai’s electric SUVs for yourself? We’re here to help. You can use our links below to find deals on the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and IONIQ 5 in your area.
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