Green Vehicles

​​​​ Public ​​Electric Vehicle Charging

The installations of the electric vehicle (EV) charging stations supports the City of Chicago's goal to reduce Chicago's greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, as outlined in the Chicago Climate Action Plan.

Locations - Chicago O'Hare International Airport

There are 86 public, Level II EV charging stations are available at O'Hare:

  • There are 12 charging stations on the first level (hourly parking) of the O'Hare Main Parking Garage in Aisle 2 near Elevator Center 3.
  • There are 24 charging stations on the fourth level of the O’Hare Multi-Modal Facility (Economy Lot F) in Rows G, H, I, and J.
  • There are 48 charging stations in the new Terminal 5 Parking Garage – 20 on Level 1, 10 on Level 2, 10 on Level 3 and eight on Level 4.
  • T​wo charging stations are located the Chicago Travel Plaza at Higgins Road and Patton Drive

There are 14 public, Level III Tesla Supercharger stations available at the Chicago Travel Plaza at Higgins Road and Patton Drive.​

Locations - Chicago Midway International Airport

Eight public, Level II EV charging stations are available at Midway.

  • Four charging stations are located on the first level (hourly parking) of the Midway Terminal Garage (5701 South Cicero Avenue) at Column 1C near the south elevators.
  • Four charging stations are located on the first level of the Midway Economy Parking Garage​ (5050 West 55th Street) near the east elevators

The Benefits of EV Charging Stations

The benefits of installing EV charging stations at O'Hare and Midway International Airports:

  • Support the development of EV charging capacity in the Chicago area
  • Lessen driver range anxiety by increasing the amount of publicly available charging stations
  • Meet the anticipated increase in charging demand for EVs as the number and variety of EVs increases
  • Improve energy security by displacing imported petroleum with domestically generated electricity, reducing dependency on foreign oil
  • Lower fuel costs and reduce uncertainty over varying fuel prices
  • Increase the use of EVs that:
    • Produce no tailpipe emissions
    • Support the use of vehicles that require less maintenance than internal combustion engine vehicles (e.g., no oil changes, no emissions testing, and smaller engine part inventories)
    • Have efficient electric motors that convert about 75 percent of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels (internal combustion engines only convert about 20 percent of the energy stored in gasoline)

Green Fleet Vehicles for the CDA

To reduce vehicle emissions, the CDA operates alternatively-fueled and hybrid fleet vehicles at O'Hare. As of mid-2024 the fleet includes:

  • Over 60 hybrid SUVs, buses and pickups
  • Over 260 flex-fuel sedans, pickup trucks, police vehicles and SUVs powered by E85 ethanol (a blend of fuel containing 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded gasoline)
  • O'Hare operates 55 diesel-powered vehicles with the latest engine technology to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. In compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's mandate, these vehicles use diesel particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction applications to significantly reduce engine emission levels.

The CDA also operates alternative fuel and hybrid fleet vehicles at Midway. As of mid-2024 the fleet includes

  • Two PHEVs
  • More than 10 hybrid vehicles
  • More than 90 flex-fuel vehicles powered by E85 ethanol
  • More than 30 diesel-powered vehicles with the latest engine technology to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions