Earlier this spring, 100 electric vehicle (EV) stakeholders gathered for a day-long event, “EV-olution: Charging Ahead with Electric Vehicles in Minnesota Communities,” held at the at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. The event brought together people from 35 cities, state agencies, all of Minnesota major electric utilities, and nonprofits working in the EV space to accelerate the transition to an electrified transportation system. Continue reading »
Minnesota’s Legislature at a Crossroads – Accelerate the Benefits of Electric Vehicles in the State or Hit the Brakes
April 16, 2019 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
Minnesota’s emerging electric vehicle (EV) industry is at an important pivot point. After years of effort by many people and organizations, the conditions are right for growth in EV adoption with the numerous economic and clean air benefits that come with it. This is an update on the status of EV proposals currently in play at the Minnesota Legislature. Continue reading »
GPI 20th Anniversary Leadership Interview Series: Vice President Brendan Jordan, Transportation & Fuels
April 9, 2019 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Jennifer Christensen
Over the last year, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) celebrated our 20th anniversary as an organization dedicated to transforming the energy system to benefit the economy and environment. As GPI staff, partners, and supporters reflect on the progress we’ve made together and look ahead to future opportunities for even greater impact in 2019 and beyond, we’re sharing a Q&A series we’ve created with our CEO and program leadership team. Continue reading »
GPI Welcomes Carly Gelderman to Transportation & Fuels Program
April 8, 2019 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

I’m pleased to welcome Carly Gelderman as a program assistant with GPI’s Transportation and Fuels Program. Carly will assist with meeting and event coordination, communications, stakeholder outreach, and supporting all areas of our work, including projects related to electric vehicles and biofuels. Continue reading »
Key Findings on Transportation Electrification from the Road Map to Decarbonization in the Midcontinent
April 2, 2019 in Transportation & Fuels Authors: Brendan Jordan, Franz Litz
Electric vehicles (EVs) are an essential part of the effort to decarbonize the transportation sector by midcentury. Recently, a diverse coalition of stakeholders released analysis, findings, and recommendations on how to accelerate EV adoption in “A Road Map to Decarbonization in the Midcontinent: Transportation Electrification.” This post highlights the findings from the road map, which were developed to help inform decision-making by state and local leaders, policy makers and private sector actors. Continue reading »
Aime Bita Shares Her Experience as a Capitol Pathways Intern
March 29, 2019 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Aime Bita
My name is Aime Bita, and I am the Capitol Pathways intern for the 2019 legislative session at the Great Plains Institute. As GPI’s Capitol Pathways intern I am working at the Minnesota State Capitol and at GPI’s office with a focus on transportation policy. This internship is a continuation of my interest in making a positive impact and pursuing new experiences. Continue reading »
Minnesota Releases a Vision for an Electric Vehicle Future
February 14, 2019 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Gail Nosek
The Great Plains Institute collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on the newly released vision for the future of electric vehicles in the state.
Stakeholders Release “A Road Map to Decarbonization in the Midcontinent: Transportation Electrification”
January 24, 2019 in News & Press, Reports & Whitepapers, Transportation & Fuels Author: Gail Nosek
CHICAGO, IL- A diverse coalition of stakeholders has developed a first-of-its-kind road map to illustrate how electric vehicles (EVs) can cut carbon and other harmful pollution while bringing many other important benefits to the Midcontinent region. With the transportation sector representing the largest emitting sector in the U.S. economy, EVs are essential to tackling the decarbonization challenge. Continue reading »
Ride-Sharing with Electric Vehicles Brings Benefits to Drivers and Consumers
January 17, 2019 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Joe Cella
This is an exciting time in the electric vehicle (EV) landscape. Tesla just posted a profit for the first time, Volkswagen is helping to build up charging infrastructure across North America, and many other auto manufacturers are committing to an EV future. EVs are gaining traction and slowly transforming car-based mobility in the United States. And here in the central US, momentum is growing with collaborative efforts to drive EV adoption and infrastructure development. Continue reading »
Innovation, Collaboration Lead to First-Ever Commercial Flight Using Low-Carbon Fuel Produced from Captured Waste Gas
January 8, 2019 in Carbon Management, Transportation & Fuels Author: Jennifer Christensen
Manchester, United kingdom – August 30, 2015: Virgin Atlantic Airways Boeing 747-443 cn 30885-1268 G-VROS moment after take off from Manchester Airport.
The power of innovation and collaboration was on full display as the first-ever transatlantic, commercial flight using fuel produced from waste gases captured at a steel plant flew from Orlando, FL to London’s Gatwick airport last fall. The flight was the result of a collaboration between Virgin Atlantic and LanzaTech, with support from their partner Boeing. Continue reading »