SPRINGFIELD –The state of Illinois and three other Midwest states are collaborating to build America’s next iconic road trip route, specifically for electric vehicles (EV). The Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour will consist of a network of EV chargers spanning over 1,100 miles of drivable shoreline around pristine Lake Michigan. The multistate partnership needed to build out and maintain the EV chargers, as well as market the new eco-tourism attraction was solidified by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by key officials from each state.

“The Great Lakes are the crown jewel of the upper Midwest, and this initiative proudly blends our clean energy goals with the natural beauty that attracts countless visitors each year,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “The Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour represents the Midwestern spirit at its best – that we are all better off when we look out for our neighbors. It’s yet another reason to come Enjoy Illinois.”

An electric Route-66 – the Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour will be a scenic route with reliable light-duty vehicle charging options along the Lake Michigan coastline that targets charger installations at key coastal communities, lighthouses and tourism attractions such as state parks, hospitality locations, breweries, vineyards, restaurants and other small businesses. Those new chargers will be tied together with existing charging infrastructure networks at large entertainment attractions in population centers along the route such as Chicago, Green Bay, Milwaukee and Traverse City.

The project will not only support the tourism industry in the Midwest, it will also elevate economic growth. The Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour will coordinate to advance the ease of access to some of the region’s greatest tourism attractions by the next generation of clean and electrified transportation and mobility manufacturing products, safeguard industry electrification leadership, support growth of the region’s share of electric vehicles and elevate access to tools required to equip the workforce of tomorrow.

The route is also intended to provide EV drivers with a long-distance travel vacation opportunity so many have been seeking. Likewise, prospective EV drivers will have the chance to experience firsthand the joy of taking families and friends on long-distance road trips with no range anxiety, and no harmful tailpipe emissions. Many of the network’s chargers are already operable today, and drivers can expect the remainder of the Circuit to be completed within the next few years.