In the Blog
Stay informed about all things Drive Electric Minnesota
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Should you still buy an electric vehicle now that the federal tax credit has ended?
What if your next tailgate, lakeside picnic, or DIY project could be powered by…your car? One Minnesota electric vehicle (EV) owner told Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) he once ran amps, lights, and audio equipment for his band for six hours from his car and used less than 3 percent of his battery to do so….
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Revised tool helps EV charging station site hosts examine the impact of taxes and fees
In 2019, the Great Plains Institute (facilitator of Drive Electric Minnesota) examined the factors that impact direct current fast charger (DCFC) revenue and created a calculator built on that research. The research found that DCFC revenue most depends on three key factors: Other factors, such as capital and annual maintenance costs, and revenue from secondary…
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Drive Electric Minnesota Coalition Releases 2026 Policy Platform
Minnesota state legislators reconvened on Tuesday, February 17, for the 2026 legislative session. Drive Electric Minnesota is gearing up to advocate for policies to lower barriers to electrification and provide needed support for the state’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market. For the second year in a row, Minnesota EV advocates are operating in an uncertain…
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Lifecycle Assessment Study Compares Emissions of Electric and Conventional Vehicles in Minnesota
The Great Plains Institute developed a fact sheet visualizing the findings from a comprehensive lifecycle assessment study that analyzes and compares the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of electric vehicles (EVs) and gas cars in Minnesota (GPI facilitates Drive Electric Minnesota). This fact sheet is based on findings from a comprehensive study conducted for various…
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Demystifying Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Costs
At Drive Electric Minnesota, we continuously seek ways to educate more people about the benefits of electric vehicles. One of the most common questions we receive is, “How much does it cost to install an electric vehicle charging station?” The answer to that question depends on several things, including the use case, upfront costs, ongoing…
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Minnesota Legislature Adopts Punitive New Electric Vehicle Fees
Beginning in January 2026, Minnesota electric vehicle (EV) drivers will pay at least double in registration surcharges the next time they renew their tab fees. And starting in 2027, they will pay an additional electricity tax when they recharge at public fast charging stations. This is due to a new law enacted by the Minnesota…
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Minnesota Legislature Adopts Punitive New Electric Vehicle Fees
Beginning in January 2026, Minnesota electric vehicle (EV) drivers will pay at least double in registration surcharges the next time they renew their tab fees. And starting in 2027, they will pay an additional electricity tax when they recharge at public fast charging stations. This is due to a new law enacted by the Minnesota…
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Policy-Based Solutions to Increase EV Charging Access for Multifamily Housing Residents
Minnesota is charting an ambitious path toward transportation electrification as a key strategy to achieve its goal of a carbon-neutral, resilient, and equitable future. The state’s Climate Action Framework sets a target for 20 percent of light-duty vehicles (LDVs) on the road to be electric by 2030, while the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) aims…
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Drive Electric Minnesota opposes nearly tripling the state EV fee
Minnesota drivers contribute to roadway funding through a few key sources: the motor vehicle sales tax paid at the time of purchasing a vehicle, tab fees paid annually to renew vehicle registration, and gas taxes paid each time they fill up at a gas station. Because electric vehicle (EV) drivers don’t use gasoline, Minnesota has…
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How are Rural Electric Vehicle Owners Faring in Minnesota?
One common misconception we often hear is that driving an electric vehicle (EV) in rural Minnesota is not practical because of the lack of range and charging infrastructure. To put that to the test, in November 2024, we surveyed rural EV owners to understand their experiences. EV adoption is growing in the US, including rural…
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Frequently Asked Questions: Electric Vehicle Fire Safety
As electric vehicles (EVs) have grown in popularity and awareness, so have concerns about their fire risks. This fact sheet addresses common questions and developments in EV fire prevention and response measures. The notes included provide further resources for those who wish to explore the topic in more detail. Key takeaways Can EVs catch fire?…
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Spotlight on Off-Road Transportation Electrification: Q&A on Minnesota Power’s Mine Truck Electrification Project
While we often hear about the electrification of passenger vehicle fleets and, more recently, commercial vehicle fleets, off-road transportation is often sidelined in these conversations. This post is part of a series that will spotlight electrification efforts for off-road vehicles, which include equipment and machinery used in construction, mining, agriculture, and ports. This post will focus…
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Powering Up Minnesota Utility Electric Vehicle Programs
Drive Electric Minnesota and the Clean Energy Resources Team hosted a webinar on August 12 to amplify electric vehicle utility program participation in Minnesota. The webinar included an overview of MNCharging.org, panel discussions with panelists representing utilities and utility partners, and the release of Drive Electric Minnesota’s “Utility Website Toolkit.” Webinar recap The webinar opened…
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Legislative Session Recap: Minnesota Makes Additional EV Investments in 2024
Minnesota’s 2024 legislative session adjourned on May 20, with the passage of a 1,430-page omnibus bill package and several smaller bill packages wrapping up the historic 2023-2024 biennium. The past two years of policymaking in Minnesota were marked by unified Democrat-Farmer-Labor control of state government, substantial state and federal funding for transportation, and strong momentum…
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GPI releases report: Lessons Learned from Twin Cities Climate and Energy Community Engagement Efforts
Since Drive Electric Minnesota was formed, we have been working to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the state. As a coalition, we have defeated punitive electric vehicle taxes, increased electric vehicle education throughout the state, and helped pass an impressive slate of supportive electric vehicle policy measures. With the assistance of our coalition…
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Drive Electric Minnesota Coalition Releases 2024 Policy Platform
Minnesota lawmakers convened for the 2024 legislative session on Monday, February 12. As this session…
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Recap: Drive Electric Minnesota Statewide Scavenger Hunt Challenge
Earlier this year, Drive Electric Minnesota organized its first Statewide Scavenger Hunt Challenge during…
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Spotlight on Off-Road Transportation Electrification: Turner Construction Company’s Meta Project
While we often hear about the electrification of passenger vehicle fleets and, more recently, commercial vehicle fleets, off-road transportation is often sidelined in these conversations. This post is part of a series that will spotlight electrification efforts for off-road vehicles, which include equipment and machinery used in construction, mining, agriculture, and ports. According to the…
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Electric Vehicles Are Up to 88 Percent Less Greenhouse Gas-Intensive than Gasoline Vehicles
In 2017, we published findings showing that electric vehicles provided significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from conventional gasoline-powered cars in Minnesota. These GHG reductions will continue over the next decade as the electric grid further decarbonizes. This post explores an updated analysis using data from 2022, finding that electric vehicles continue to provide deep GHG…
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Green Rock Apartments Leading the Charge on Electric Vehicles
Green Rock Apartments in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, positions itself as a provider of environmentally aware city living. It offers a range of eco-friendly features and facilities, including solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, complimentary low-watt light bulbs for residents, secure bicycle parking, on-site composting and recycling services, and community gardens. Dale Howey, the owner, actively explores ways…
