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. This is one of the many EV success stories out there. Right now, there are over 100 models of EVs for sale in the US, and in Minnesota, EV sales nearly reached 8 percent of all new cars sold in 2024, according to MPR News host Angela Davis. There is no doubt that these vehicles are gaining popularity among consumers.

Back in August 2025, MPR News host Angela Davis hosted co-facilitator of Drive Electric Minnesota and senior program manager of transportation and fuels at the Great Plains Institute, Katelyn Bocklund, and Shift2Electric founder and Drive Electric Minnesota member, Jukka Kukkonen, to talk with listeners about EVs. During that show, we highlighted the importance of taking advantage of the federal tax credit before it expired in September 2025.

Now that the federal tax credit has ended, it begs the question: Is buying or leasing an EV still worth it?

Stories from listeners reflect that EV owners are not just satisfied; they are enthusiastic. Even though the federal tax credit has sunset, there are still strong reasons to make the switch.

Before diving in, here’s what Minnesota EV drivers and experts consistently shared: EVs are practical, affordable, and surprisingly easy to incorporate into Minnesotans’ lives.

Key takeaways:

• Driving an EV often increases the driver’s confidence in them.

Many Minnesotans who have experienced these cars, whether through ownership, leasing, or even a test drive, only have good things to say and are more interested in them than before.

• Cost savings and everyday convenience are powerful motivators.

From significantly lower fuel and maintenance costs to the ease of charging at home, EVs can save drivers over a thousand dollars a year.

• Upfront costs still matter, but options and incentives remain.

While EVs can cost more initially, used vehicles, leasing, utility programs, and state and local incentives help make them more affordable.

• Range anxiety is often overestimated – even in Minnesota winters.

Modern EV ranges comfortably cover daily driving needs, and real-world experiences show winter driving is manageable for most folks.

• Public charging is expanding and improving across Minnesota and beyond.

With rapid infrastructure growth and smart trip-planning tools, long-distance and rural EV travel is becoming easier every year.

The benefits of owning an electric vehicle

Many EV owners who called in said EVs are “just better cars.” But what does that mean? Jukka, along with Mike from Minnetonka who called into the show, described EVs as being quieter, smoother, more powerful, and easier to “fuel,” especially with home charging. EVs also save money, a big selling point. The Great Plains Institute, which facilitates Drive Electric Minnesota, conducted an analysis showing that, on average, Minnesotans save $1,400 a year on fuel when driving electric.

EV owners can save even more by subscribing to a utility EV program. As a testament to these cost savings, Thomas from Minnetonka, who called in, shared that he dropped his fuel costs from $600 a month in gas to around $60 a month in charging costs—a savings of over $6,000 per year. Jukka mentioned that another added cost benefit is lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts.

Considerations before buying or leasing an electric vehicle

Upfront costs

There are numerous benefits to driving an EV, but there are a few factors you’ll want to consider before making a purchase. For example, while EVs have lower fueling and maintenance costs, they’re typically more expensive to purchase. Up until the end of September 2025, Minnesotans could take advantage of the federal EV tax credit. While that program has ended, many other incentives remain from municipalities and utilities. Additionally, buying used can save a lot of money; many times, you can find ones that are only a few years old. Dealerships like GS Motors in Hopkins exclusively sell pre-owned EVs. Leasing can be another great alternative to buying new.

Another factor to consider is the infrastructure costs. To install charging at your home, prices will vary depending on which method you choose, such as using a Level 1 charger (or a 120V outlet) versus installing a Level 2 charger. Jukka mentioned that if you’re an Xcel Energy customer, you can lease a Level 2 charging station for as little as $10 per month. Buying and installing a Level 2 charger (which charges the car overnight) typically costs $400-$600 for the equipment and $200-$2,000 for installation, depending on the distance from the electrical panel. Through June 30, 2026, you may be able to save up to $1,000 on installing a Level 2 charger via the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit if your residence is in a qualified location.

Range

Today’s EVs offer 200-400+ miles of range, which is far above the average 42-mile daily commute in the US, according to AXIOS based on data from Replica. Cold weather does reduce battery range, so it is important to factor this into your driving needs. Responding to questions about cold weather range during the MPR show, Katelyn suggested to “look at the range of the vehicle, reduce it by 40-50 percent for winter driving, and see if it makes sense with your commute and other trips you take.”

For example, if your EV has a range of 300 miles, in very cold temperatures, it may drop to 150 miles, which is still well above the average daily commute.

Jukka noted that countries like Norway and Finland, with Minnesota-level winters, are EV leaders, with EVs accounting for over half (and in Norway, nearly all) of new vehicle sales.

Public Charging

When going on longer trips, your EV will need to be charged along the way, like refueling a gas tank. Apps like PlugShare, ChargePoint, and manufacturer-supported programs take the guesswork out of trip planning. These apps will let you plan a trip and add charging stations along the way, so you have all the directions at your fingertips. Some, particularly those built by vehicle manufacturers, will even recommend charging locations along your route. Jukka mentioned, “if you want to get from here to LA, it will show you the trip, mapped out, and where you need to stop to charge and how many minutes.”

One caller, Chuck, from Dalton, Minnesota, mentioned he has been driving an EV for over three years in a deeply rural area and has made multiple round-trips from Minnesota to places like Chicago and Arizona and has not experienced any challenges since more charging stations are being installed every day. Similarly, Amy, a resident of Wilmer, Minnesota, shared that she drives seven hours through Minnesota from one home to another and has had a great charging experience. Amy owns a Tesla, which has a computerized system to find charging stations.

Public charging infrastructure is growing rapidly nationally, partly because of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which will distribute $5 billion in formula funding to states through fiscal year 2026. Other efforts, such as by Electrify America and IONNA, are also building out the national network.

Additionally, more public charging stations are being added through local and state funding, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Power, and Otter Tail Power Company.

What Minnesotans are saying about electric vehicles

“I would venture to say that if you surveyed 100 EV owners, well over 90 percent of them, like myself, would never, ever even think of going back to a gasoline car,” noted Chuck, a resident who called in.

Many callers had nothing but praise for their EVs: they’re fun to drive, powerful, quiet, inexpensive to operate, and easy to maintain.

A few concerns came up, too. This included EV registration fees increasing, cautions about winter driving range, occasional charging outages at fast chargers, and the lack of charging access for apartment dwellers. These are all issues Drive Electric Minnesota continues to work on.

Testing electric vehicles, rentals, and leasing

There are several options available for testing an EV if you are curious or interested in purchasing one. In the Twin Cities, there is a car-sharing program called “Evie.” This program allows users to reserve an EV for a specified period. Ride-and-drive events also provide an opportunity to test drive EVs in a low-pressure setting and speak with a salesperson to gather more information.

If you are interested in testing an EV for a longer period, you can rent one through Turo. Turo is like an Airbnb for vehicles. You can also check out other car rental companies, like Enterprise or Hertz, for EV rentals.

If you are interested or ready to buy, check out Shift2Electric’s EV Info List to see all the available EVs in the US.

Ready to make the switch to an electric vehicle?

We heard it straight from experts and Minnesota EV drivers alike, and the verdict is clear: EVs are a joy to drive. Smooth, quiet, and easy to charge, they fit everyday life better than you might expect. Even without federal incentives, local incentives and major fuel savings (over $500 a month for one driver!) make EVs a cost-effective choice. Range is more than enough for daily driving, even in winter, and charging just keeps getting easier as new infrastructure rolls out.

Bottom line? Buying or leasing an EV still makes a lot of sense.

Want the full scoop? Listen to the episode to hear real stories from real drivers.

If you have lingering questions, feel free to reach out to us at Drive Electric Minnesota.

Happy electric driving!