Illinois' portion of the historic Route 66 is getting a high-tech upgrade with the installation of a network of electric vehicle charging stations.

The project will allow drivers of electric cars to zoom along the 300-mile stretch from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River near St. Louis.

The $1 million project is being supported by automakers with technical help from the University of California at Davis. Work begins this month and should be finished by summer.

Charging stations will be built in eight cities, from Plainfield to Edwardsville. Each stop will have at least one fast-charging station, which can charge up a car within 15 to 20 minutes.

Gov. Pat Quinn said in a statement Saturday that the project reflects "Illinois' place as the innovation capital of the Midwest."