The project is part of a partnership with the Illinois Tollway, 350Green and 7-Eleven, and adds to the existing seven fast charging units already in use at Tollway Oases on the road. To use the network, drivers will buy a $21 access card from 350Green, which allows three 15 minute charging sessions.

Governor Quinn said at the launch: ‘We want Illinois to be the greenest state in America. By installing the largest network of cutting edge fast-chargers, Illinois will continue to support green jobs and provide people with environmentally-friendly and affordable travel options.’

Illinois already has projects underway to establish a charging network for electric vehicles. The Chicago-Area EV Infrastructure Project has installed 26 of a planned 73 fast chargers, while the City of Chicago is overseeing 280 installations, covering all charging speeds and backed by an $8.8m budget.

These will be focused on dense residential and worker populations as well as high traffic areas, with 18 jobs and 8,500 hours of labour created as a result.

Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur, added: ‘Today, the Tollway is taking steps to ensure that electric vehicle drivers on our roadways have the same convenient access to electricity as other drivers have to fuel. At the same time, we are continuing our commitment to clean and green technology and making the Tollway a leader in environmental sustainability.’