ComEd is expanding its annual EV Rally, a STEM-focused initiative that engages students ages 13-18 in the assembly and racing of electric go-karts. This year marks the program's 10th anniversary and features the largest number of participants in its history. By pairing sixty students with company mentors, the utility aims to introduce the next generation to electric vehicles and clean energy principles. This workforce development effort signals ComEd's strategic focus on building a local talent pipeline to support the broader energy transition.
ComEd EV Rally Technical Training and Race Day
The program utilizes a hands-on curriculum where sixty students collaborate with ComEd mentors across four pre-race events. Participants apply STEM principles to assemble high-tech electric go-karts and complete various educational challenges. The program culminates on Saturday, August 1, at noon, with a race held at The Fields Studios in Chicago. To incentivize participation and further education, ComEd provides each of the sixty students with a $1,000 scholarship upon the completion of the program.
The initiative has evolved from its original iteration as the Icebox Derby, which launched in 2014. Since its inception, the program has reached over 350 young people and distributed nearly $700,000 in scholarships. The program also incorporates a "Pit Crew" consisting of former participants who return to provide peer-to-peer mentorship to new students. This structure creates a continuous loop of engagement between the utility and potential future employees.
Workforce Pipeline and ComEd STEM Ecosystem
The EV Rally serves as an entry point into a broader ecosystem of workforce development managed by ComEd and its parent company, Exelon. The company reported that past participants have transitioned into college-level internships, mentorships, and full-time careers within the organization. This program is part of a wider suite of educational initiatives designed to empower students in northern Illinois to pursue careers in the energy sector.
Beyond the EV Rally, ComEd operates several other specialized STEM and scholarship programs. These include the Construct Youth Academy, Tools of the Trade, Power Up Academy, and the Future of Energy Scholarships. By integrating these diverse pathways, ComEd is positioning itself to secure the technical expertise required for zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure and grid modernization. The company did not disclose further details regarding the specific technical specifications of the go-karts used in the rally.
Key Takeaways
- Sixty students ages 13-18 will race electric go-karts at The Fields Studios in Chicago on August 1.
- Since 2014, the program has engaged over 350 participants and awarded nearly $700,000 in scholarships.
- Each of the sixty current participants will receive a $1,000 scholarship upon completing the program.
EnergyInsyte's Take
In our view, ComEd’s expansion of the EV Rally is less about the novelty of go-kart racing and more about aggressive long-term human capital hedging. As utilities face an acute shortage of skilled technicians and engineers capable of managing the clean energy transition, creating a proprietary pipeline starting at age 13 is a pragmatic move. By linking early STEM exposure to scholarships and eventual Exelon internships, ComEd is reducing future recruitment friction. This signals that the utility views the "talent gap" as a primary risk to infrastructure execution and is treating workforce development as a critical component of its operational reliability strategy.
Source: BUSINESSWIRE
