Best Practices for Electric Vehicles: Charging Stations
Note: LRRB approved two related need statements--this need statement focused on charging stations and a separate need statement focused on fleet conversion.
Need statement 722
Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been available in the U.S. for more than a decade, but there have only been small, incremental changes in electric car sales for most of that time. The tipping point in passenger EV adoption occurred in the second half of 2020, when EV sales and penetration accelerated in major markets despite the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Europe spearheaded this development, where EV adoption reached 8 percent due to policy mandates such as stricter emissions targets for manufacturers and generous subsidies for consumers.
In 2021, the discussions were centered on the end date for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales. New regulatory targets in the European Union and the US now aim for an EV share of at least 50 percent by 2030, and several countries have announced accelerated timelines for ICE sale bans in 2030 or 2035. Some Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have stated their intentions to stop investing in new ICE platforms and models and many more have already defined a specific date to end ICE vehicle production. Consumer mindsets have also shifted toward sustainable mobility, with more than 45 percent of car customers considering buying an EV.
EV Charging Stations
The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) created the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The new program provides funds for states to install fast chargers for electric vehicles along designated corridors. Minnesota will receive $68 million in federal funds from the NEVI Formula Program over five years. MnDOT just published their Minnesota Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan which describes how Minnesota will spend the first year of NEVI Formula Program funds. The plan was developed in coordination with the public and stakeholders throughout the state. Many local agencies are currently assessing if and how they will provide public charging stations.
The focus of this study would be on EV charging station implementation needs for local agencies:
- Survey Minnesota agencies to learn what has been done and develop the best practices on electric vehicles, including:
- Policies and implementation of charging stations, including who owns/operates (i.e., public vs private).
- Location of stations (within public ROW or on private property)?
- Zoning changes (i.e., typically parking lots are required to have X number of stalls; in the future should there be a requirement as to how many of the stalls will be required to provide charging units?).
- Syntheses of NEVI, Minnesota Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan and what it means/how it impacts local agencies (i.e., is funding available for local agencies)?
Suggested deliverables
- Synthesis of emerging best practices for local agency EV charging station implementation
- Summary of MN local agency experience
- Summary of Minnesota Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan
- Best practices for local agency EV charging station implementation for Minnesota local agencies.
Previous research
- None
Possible members for technical advisory panel
- Chris Sagsveen, Hennepin County
- Jay Baldwin, Hennepin County
- Kevin Schlangen, Dakota County
- Members of Fleet Life Cycle TAP
- Beth Kallestad, MnDOT
- Amber Dallman, MnDOT
- Christopher Royston, Fleet Director, Minneapolis