The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), producer of the Chicago Auto Show and the Chicago Drives Electric initiative, has announced that the fourth annual edition of its electric vehicle showcase will take place from October 2–5, 2025. For the first time, the event will move beyond the CATA headquarters to a larger venue at the ComEd Building in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, underscoring the rapid growth in consumer interest around electric vehicles (EVs) and sustainable mobility solutions.
Set against the backdrop of rising EV adoption across the United States, this year’s expansion signals how Chicago is positioning itself as a Midwest hub for electrification education and consumer engagement. The four-day program, powered by ComEd, promises more test drives, broader participation from major automakers, and deeper consumer education on charging infrastructure and EV ownership.
Why is the Chicago Drives Electric 2025 expansion significant for the Midwest electric vehicle market?
Chicago has long been recognized as one of the nation’s most influential automotive markets, with the Chicago Auto Show—established in 1901—holding the title as the largest auto show in North America. Over the past decade, the region has played a critical role in testing consumer sentiment toward electric mobility. The Midwest has often lagged behind coastal states like California in EV adoption, largely due to weather extremes, charging infrastructure challenges, and cultural preferences for trucks and SUVs.
The expansion of Chicago Drives Electric into the ComEd Building represents a notable shift. The new location allows for larger exhibits, expanded charging demonstrations, and broader test-drive opportunities for attendees. By moving the event from the CATA headquarters to Oakbrook Terrace, organizers can accommodate more vehicles, interactive experiences, and educational workshops. This move reflects both rising demand and a strategic effort to accelerate adoption in a region that automakers see as ripe for growth.
Industry observers note that as government incentives, corporate sustainability targets, and consumer awareness converge, regional showcases like Chicago Drives Electric play a pivotal role in bridging the knowledge gap. Historically, auto shows were product-centric spectacles. But as EVs gain market share, the consumer journey increasingly hinges on demystifying charging, range, maintenance, and total cost of ownership—factors that this event places front and center.
How are major automakers using Chicago Drives Electric 2025 to strengthen their EV market presence?
This year’s Chicago Drives Electric event will feature vehicles from an unusually wide spectrum of manufacturers, ranging from luxury marques like BMW, Cadillac, and Lotus to high-volume brands such as Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Jeep, and Volkswagen. Tesla and VinFast are also expected to present their newest models, marking a convergence of legacy automakers and emerging EV specialists on a single platform.
For traditional automakers such as Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), the Chicago showcase provides a critical opportunity to demonstrate their expanding electric portfolios. Ford is likely to spotlight its F-150 Lightning, which has been a flagship in the electric pickup market since its 2021 debut. GM may bring its Chevrolet Silverado EV, alongside Cadillac’s luxury electric offerings like the LYRIQ, which represents the brand’s push to reclaim relevance in the luxury SUV market.
On the premium end, BMW (ETR: BMW) and Lotus are expected to highlight advancements in design and performance, catering to affluent urban buyers and EV enthusiasts. Volkswagen AG (ETR: VOW3), which has been investing heavily in its ID series, may use the event to further push its ID.4 and upcoming models, aiming to capture Midwest buyers who are only now beginning to explore EV ownership at scale.
Emerging players like VinFast, which has aggressively entered the U.S. market from Vietnam, will look to gain consumer trust through test drives and direct engagement. Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), still the dominant EV brand in the United States with roughly 50% of the market share as of 2025, will leverage its presence to defend its leadership amid intensifying competition.
Automakers see Chicago not just as a showcase city but also as a proving ground for mainstreaming EV adoption in markets beyond the coastal strongholds. The Midwest’s appetite for trucks and SUVs aligns well with the current wave of electric pickups and larger vehicles, potentially making this year’s event one of the most consequential yet.
What role do ComEd and corporate sponsors play in driving consumer confidence in electric vehicles?
The 2025 event is presented by ComEd, the utility company serving northern Illinois, which has been central to expanding charging infrastructure across the region. ComEd will be on site to guide attendees on practical aspects of EV ownership, including installing home charging systems, navigating available rebates, and understanding how EV adoption fits into broader efforts to modernize the grid.
The involvement of ComEd also underscores a critical shift in the EV ecosystem: utilities are becoming active stakeholders in the electrification journey, recognizing that higher EV adoption can reshape demand patterns and grid management strategies. By positioning itself as a trusted advisor, ComEd is building long-term customer relationships while reinforcing Illinois’s climate goals.
In addition to ComEd, Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) and Drive Chicago are returning as Premier Sponsors. Cars.com has consistently used platforms like Chicago Drives Electric to highlight its consumer education tools and vehicle comparison features, leveraging its digital marketplace to connect buyers with dealers offering EVs. Drive Chicago, a regional automotive marketing initiative, supports the event’s outreach and ensures local dealerships are integrated into the consumer experience.
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA), one of the world’s largest automakers and parent company of Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Fiat, is sponsoring the Media Day, where it will host a breakfast session and vehicle walkarounds. CDK Global, a major provider of automotive retail technology, is also returning with insights from its latest EV consumer behavior reports. Their presence signals the growing importance of data, analytics, and retail transformation in supporting EV adoption.
How does Chicago Drives Electric 2025 connect with federal EV incentives and consumer adoption trends?
The timing of the Chicago Drives Electric expansion coincides with significant momentum in the U.S. electric vehicle market. According to S&P Global Mobility, EVs accounted for roughly 12–13% of new vehicle sales in the U.S. in the first half of 2025, up from around 7% just two years earlier. States like California, New York, and Washington have driven much of the early adoption, but Midwestern states are now seeing accelerating demand thanks to falling battery costs, expanding federal incentives, and growing public awareness of environmental issues.
The federal government has also rolled out measures under the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides tax credits of up to $7,500 for eligible EVs manufactured in North America. These policies are particularly relevant for brands like GM, Ford, and Tesla, all of which have been reshoring parts of their EV supply chains to qualify. Illinois has its own state-level rebates, further enhancing affordability for consumers attending Chicago Drives Electric.
Events like this align with a broader industry trend of prioritizing consumer education over pure product showcases. Automakers and utilities recognize that skepticism about charging access, battery range, and total cost of ownership remain the most significant barriers to adoption. By allowing consumers to get behind the wheel of EVs and directly engage with experts, the event helps close the gap between awareness and purchase intent.
What does the Chicago Drives Electric expansion signal for automakers, investors, and the regional economy?
For automakers such as Tesla, Ford, GM, and Stellantis, the Chicago Drives Electric 2025 showcase represents a critical marketing opportunity in a region where EV adoption is still in its early stages but poised for acceleration. With EV competition intensifying—Chinese automakers like BYD and NIO are eyeing U.S. entry, while European brands ramp up their offerings—maintaining visibility is essential to protect market share.
From an investor perspective, the event also offers a window into how consumer attitudes toward EVs are evolving in secondary markets. Analysts tracking EV adoption note that while Tesla’s stock (NASDAQ: TSLA) has seen periods of volatility in 2025 amid pricing pressures and new competition, its continued presence at events like Chicago Drives Electric reinforces its strong brand loyalty. GM and Ford shares have reflected cautious optimism, buoyed by federal EV tax credits and production ramp-ups at key facilities such as GM’s Ultium battery plants and Ford’s BlueOval City complex.
Institutional flows into EV-related equities have been mixed in recent months, with some funds rotating into energy and utilities as a hedge against economic uncertainty. ComEd’s involvement highlights how utility companies are increasingly viewed as indirect beneficiaries of EV adoption, and utilities as a sector have seen steady inflows, particularly from pension and ESG-focused funds.
For the Chicago region, the event’s expansion also carries broader economic implications. The Midwest has been vying to attract EV manufacturing investments, with states like Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio competing for new battery plants and supply chain facilities. Illinois has made policy moves to attract investment, including offering tax incentives for battery manufacturing and EV assembly. Hosting a larger-scale consumer-facing EV event strengthens Chicago’s positioning as a central hub for both education and market adoption in the region.
As the Chicago Auto Show prepares for its 2026 return in February at McCormick Place—with Chicago Drives Electric also set to operate an indoor EV test track—the October 2025 event at ComEd’s Oakbrook Terrace facility is likely to serve as a key preview of where the industry is headed. For consumers, it provides an unparalleled chance to test drive vehicles ranging from mass-market models to luxury EVs, while also engaging directly with experts on charging, technology, and incentives. For automakers and corporate sponsors, it is a crucial moment to cement brand relevance in a competitive and rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.
Ultimately, the expansion of Chicago Drives Electric is more than a larger venue—it is a reflection of how the automotive industry is recalibrating its engagement strategies in a world increasingly defined by electrification. As the EV transition moves from early adopters to the mainstream, events that prioritize education and accessibility may prove as influential as any product launch or advertising campaign in shaping the industry’s trajectory.
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