Chicago suburb is joining a quiet revolution in paratransit service

The EV revolution isn’t just happening on the main routes of big cities, it’s increasingly happening in the commercial vehicle space – and paratransit services offer a nearly ideal use case for battery-powered rides.

Paratransit is a demand-responsive mobility service for people with limited mobility who can’t access tradiational public transit options. EVs work great in this space, thanks to their smoother operation, quiet running, and the lack of surface-level carbon emissions that could cause immediate damage to these vulnerable passengers. That makes electric vans and buses ideally suited to the quieter, more community-focused world of paratransit, where the shift is gaining steady momentum.

The latest evidence comes from Schaumburg, Illinois, where the Chicago area suburb is testing a new fleet of electric buses dedicated to serving older adults and other people with disabilities, demonstrating that the push for zero-emission transportation can be as much about equity and independence as it is about reducing harmful tailpipe emissions.

The switch to electric is being powered by a combination of forward-thinking local leadership and sustained investment from both the IEPA and local utility ComEd, as well as, “thoughtful fiscal planning, inter-governmental cooperation and working with EV experts,” as Township Supervisor Timothy Heneghan noted. Funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s programs, including the Low or No Emission Bus grants, has also provided support for these projects, proving that the transition to zero-emission transit can have bipartisan support and long-term stability.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The Township’s first transit electrification project includes four electric buses (built by Blue Bird subsidiary, Microbird, in this case), five fast chargers and an intelligent charging management system with remote monitoring.

The quiet rollout of electric paratransit vehicles represents a dual victory for the Chicago suburb: it is a tangible step toward cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions, while simultaneously upholding a community’s commitment to equitable and compassionate service for all its residents. It just goes to show that the most impactful technological shifts are often the quietest.

SOURCES | IMAGES: IACT, via Smart Cities Dive.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.