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 members, our impact is growing every day.

However, we need to do more as a state so more Minnesotans can experience the benefits of driving or riding an electric vehicle, regardless of where they live or who they are. And that’s why we’re excited to announce the release of the Great Plains Institute’s phase one report on its Electric Vehicle Education for All initiative.

Led by the Great Plains Institute—the facilitator of Drive Electric Minnesota—the initiative seeks to deeply engage frontline and historically marginalized communities within the Twin Cities area to learn firsthand how they perceive electric mobility, identify electric mobility literacy gaps, and provide educational materials to access electric mobility benefits fully.

The phase one report, Lessons Learned from Twin Cities Climate and Energy Community Engagement Efforts, provides lessons learned from prior engagement efforts and interviews with staff from local governments, non-profits, for-profits, and other entities. Prior engagement efforts included in the literature review:

• Twin Cities Electric Vehicle Mobility Network: Community Engagement and Outreach by HOURCAR
• 2021 Minnesota Electric Vehicle Assessment Appendix E: Detailed Public Engagement Process and Feedback Summary produced for the Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Docket 22-266: In the Matter of Efforts to advance workforce diversity, inclusive participation, and equitable access to utility services for Xcel Energy

Head to the Great Plains Institute’s website for insights about the intel-gathering phase of the initiative and to download the report.