When Kennedy Oliver and her mother first heard about ComEd’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program from a fellow small business owner, they were skeptical.
“At first, it sounded too good to be true,” Oliver said.
Kennedy Oliver
Oliver’s mother owns Kids Are Us Learning Academy, a childcare center in Chicago dedicated to helping children learn, grow and thrive in a caring and supportive environment.
The Oliver family was already familiar with electric vehicles, having previously owned two. But the Olivers didn’t realize that they qualified for EV rebates through ComEd until they heard about it from someone else.
“We did our research, realized this program is legitimate and that we qualified to apply,” said Oliver.
Oliver’s experience demonstrates how word-of-mouth can be a powerful way to overcome traditional barriers to more widespread EV adoption.
This is the premise of ComEd’s EV Ambassador program. The company invites community leaders who have a strong interest in sustainability to serve as ambassadors. Then, through one-on-one engagement, community events and educational outreach, those ambassadors use their strong connections to raise awareness of EV opportunities and resources across northern Illinois. Persuasion is often a simple matter of pointing out the cost savings, convenience and environmental benefits that come with owning an EV.
In Oliver’s case, she applied online and was approved less than 45 days later. The rebate she received helped lower the upfront purchase cost by contributing towards the down payment.
“It’s been an amazing experience, and I’m glad we took that step forward,” said Oliver. “We use this vehicle every day for business operations.”
ComEd EV Ambassador event speakers & small business owners.
EV Ambassador Nicole Wheatly hosted an event in August at her Chicago-based business, Steps Inc. Consulting, where ambassadors and program beneficiaries discussed how they could spread the word about available offerings to other businesses.
“Being a part of ComEd’s EV ambassador program has been a tremendous opportunity for me,” said Wheatly. “I’ve been able to share information not just with small business owners but also with my family.
“When people first hear about it, they may not believe it, but when they hear about it from someone they know and trust, that resonates differently.”
Supporting customers in EV adoption journey will be important for meeting Illinois’ ambitious clean energy goals. The state is counting on ComEd to play a pivotal role, and in 2026 alone, the company has provided approximately $13.8 million through its EV Rebate Program, helped fund more than 4,600 charging ports and incentivized the purchase or lease of 565 fleet EVs.
Kennedy Oliver’s and Nicole Wheatly’s EVs, purchased with support from ComEd’s EV rebate program.
ComEd has also delivered more than $52.5 million in rebates through the Business and Public Sector EV Purchase Program, Residential EV Charger and Installation and Make-Ready Programs.
Oliver says she will continue encouraging other local business owners to explore opportunities like these that allow for an easier transition to electrification.
“Do your research, talk to people who have used the programs and see for yourself,” Oliver said.
To learn more about ComEd’s EV programs and available rebates, go to ComEd.com/EV.
