Minnesota to Expand EV Charging Network By 2,500 Miles

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on Aug. 27 announced plans to fund installation efforts for over 38 fast-charging stations within the state, extending the incumbent EV highway corridor network by more than 2500 miles in the process.

Fast charging capabilities can fully replenish an EV with a 100-mile range in as few as 20 minutes depending on the battery model and automotive configurations. These chargers shall be allocated 30-70 miles apart, giving Minnesotans and travelers alike ubiquitous access to a plethora of charging points.

The plans support Minnesota’s goals of electrifying 20 percent of light-duty cars by 2030 and achieving 80 percent reduction in gas emissions by 2050. Between 2018 and 2019, EV registrations doubled even though gaps in the charging network potentially dissuaded further steady trajectories from expanding.

The commission said that a new $2.6 million grant opportunity, leveraging funds from Minnesota’s share of the Volkswagen settlement, will support the buildout of a fast charging station network across the state. The settlement pertains to Volkswagen Group of America’s 2017 agreement for cheating on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions tests.

The new grant is intended to help reduce vehicle emissions in Minnesota by actively encouraging the conversion to EVs. Passenger vehicles account for nearly 70 percent of transportation sector emissions within the state.