EVs & Our Energy Future

Learn why driving an electric vehicle is good for you, good for the environment and good for our clean energy future.


How Electric Vehicles Impact Our Energy Grid 

Our grid today is robust and is prepared to facilitate the current pace of EV adoption. We continue to modernize the electric grid with smart technologies and replace aging infrastructure to manage increased demand and integrate renewable energy sources. These strategies ensure the grid remains reliable, affordable, sustainable, and efficient as EV adoption increases.

Additionally, EV charging at home during off-peak hours is a smart way to shift your energy load to a time when less energy is pulled from the grid. Check out our EV Charging options and compare to find the best fit for you.

How Electric Vehicles Impact Our Energy Grid 

Our grid today is robust and is prepared to facilitate the current pace of EV adoption. We continue to modernize the electric grid with smart technologies and replace aging infrastructure to manage increased demand and integrate renewable energy sources. These strategies ensure the grid remains reliable, affordable, sustainable, and efficient as more people choose to drive electric vehicles.

When you charge your EV at home during off-peak hours, you are shifting your energy load to a time when less energy is pulled from the grid.

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EVs Reduce Carbon Impact

Electric vehicles reduce your overall carbon footprint because:

  • EVs have no tailpipe emissions.
  • EVs typically have a smaller carbon impact than gasoline cars.
  • Even when accounting for the electricity used for charging, EVs are usually responsible for lower levels of greenhouse gases than an average new gasoline car, regardless of the energy source used to charge.
The Ameren Illinois Grid Plan

Ameren Illinois is invested in making our energy more clean and more reliable. Under the Ameren Grid Plan, we are committed to:

  • Advancing the grid to support the clean energy transition and Illinois' net-zero carbon target by 2050
  • Enabling increased customer generation
  • Streamlining renewable interconnections
  • Expanding customer options for energy service
  • Supporting the overall electrification of the downstate Illinois economy
Power Your EV with Solar Energy—No Panels Required
Ameren Missouri’s Community Solar program is great for EV drivers who want to go the extra mile to reduce carbon impact. When you enroll in Community Solar, you can power your home and EV with solar energy without needing to buy your own panels. Community Solar participants are critical in helping accelerate the expansion of solar energy and future solar field projects.
Investing in Reliability and Resiliency
Ameren is working hard to provide more reliable energy, reduce outages and restore power faster than ever before. We’re continually investing in ways that will give customers safe, reliable and renewable energy for the long term.
Investing in Reliability and Resiliency
Through our Smart Energy Plan, we’re investing in state-of-the-art technology to create an energy future that’s smarter, cleaner and stronger. Investments include new and upgraded substations, smart technology, stronger poles and upgraded power lines to reduce outages and respond faster when they do occur.
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EV Efficiency Vs. Fuel-Burning Cars

An electric vehicle, powered by batteries:

  • Has 20 moving parts
  • Only incurs about 11% energy loss meaning that most of the energy that goes into the car ends up turning the wheels
  • Can recapture energy during braking, boosting overall efficiency

Comparatively, an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle:

  • Has over 2,000 moving parts
  • Suffers about 80% energy loss from fuel burning
  • Burns energy through combustion that moves pistons, drives the wheels and supports ancillary systems
  • Uses energy from fuel that cannot be recovered
Ameren's Path to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

Ameren Missouri is working to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. Our Integrated Resource Plan seeks to:

  • Reduce emissions while keeping energy affordable.
  • Support continued reliability even under extreme weather conditions.
  • Facilitate decarbonization and electrification of the broader economy.

EVs for Business

Learn how switching to a variety of electric vehicles can help businesses lower maintenance and operational costs, improve safety and assist with reaching sustainability goals.