The year 2020 was challenging—we worked hard to stay apart, embraced wearing masks everywhere we went, and rediscovered the outdoors. It was a year of immense pain, and we said goodbye to deeply loved friends and family. Restaurants, movie theaters, and other businesses endured trying economic times, or closed altogether, amidst a pandemic that shut down life as we once knew it. As we reflect on the past year, we’re also recognizing where progress was still able to occur, particularly on transportation electrification in Minnesota, which can deliver economic and environmental benefits for the state.
2020 Minnesota Legislative Session Preview: Electric Vehicles
January 18, 2020 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan JordanThe 2020 Minnesota legislative session is right around the corner, and Drive Electric Minnesota is ready to continue supporting a policy and regulatory landscape that drives electric vehicle (EV) adoption and infrastructure. With that, I want to share a 2020 Minnesota legislative preview for Drive Electric Minnesota’s policy and regulatory positions and some quick thoughts about how accomplishments in 2019 set the stage for this year. Continue reading »
Analysis: How Demand Charges Impact Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Infrastructure
July 31, 2019 in Energy Systems, Reports & Whitepapers, Transportation & Fuels Authors: Dane McFarlane, Matt Prorok
GPI recently released a white paper analyzing the economics of direct current fast charging (DCFC) as part of our work with the Midcontinent Transportation Electrification Collaborative (MTEC). DCFC stations are critical for widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) because they provide access to much faster battery charging in public places and along major driving routes and highways. The white paper focused on a specific barrier to increased DCFC stations in the region: electric utility demand charges. Continue reading »
Why Electric Vehicle Taxes Are the Wrong Strategy for Minnesota
May 8, 2019 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan JordanMinnesota lawmakers are considering additional new taxes and fees to electric vehicle (EV) owners. If passed as written, Minnesota would have the highest EV taxes in the US. Currently, the state assesses a special $75 annual tax that is only paid by owners of fully-electric vehicles. A bill by Senator Jeff Howe proposed to raise this tax to $250 per year and add a new tax of $125 for hybrid vehicles. 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 »
Analysis: Electric Vehicles Pay Their Fair Share in State Taxes
March 9, 2017 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Dane McFarlaneRecent tax policy analysis by the Great Plains Institute (GPI) for Drive Electric Minnesota found that electric cars pay just as much or more taxes as comparable gasoline vehicles. Like most other states, Minnesota uses a tax on the sale of gasoline and other motor fuel to pay for transportation infrastructure like highways and bridges, among other uses. Continue reading »
Tennant Co. Experiences the Power of Electric Vehicles!
June 29, 2016 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Will DunderOn June 16, Tennant Co. held its annual employee expo, featuring an electric vehicle (EV) ride and drive presented by Drive Electric Minnesota and its partners.
Nissan brought two Leafs for participants to take around the block. Many employees showed enthusiasm and expressed enjoyment on their first spin in an EV. Continue reading »
Electric Vehicles are Coming, and Minnesota Needs to Get Ready
April 26, 2016 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan JordanIn a year of divided government and low expectations for achieving big policy wins in Minnesota, we have the opportunity to move forward with a piece of energy policy that is broadly supported. Drive Electric Minnesota is advocating for a policy (SF 2405/HF3513) that would enable the state’s largest regulated utilities to begin planning for the arrival of mass-market electric vehicles. Continue reading »