Owning an EV in Minnesota: Charging Cost, Incentives, and More

Considering an electric vehicle purchase or lease in Minnesota? As infrastructure expands and more EV models with 225+ mile ranges become available, ownership is increasingly practical in the North Star State. This comprehensive guide examines if EV ownership makes sense based on your driving needs with a focus on charging costs, winter weather impacts, vehicle options, and MN purchase incentives.

At a Glance: EV Ownership in MN

Before diving into details, here is a high-level overview of factors those new to EVs should understand about owning or leasing an electric vehicle in Minnesota:

• Home and public charging – MN electricity rates around $0.14/kWh make home charging very affordable while public fast chargers provide necessary travel flexibility at a slightly higher cost.

• Infrastructure investments – Significant funding expanding MN‘s charging network will greatly improve access and convenience in coming years.

• Vehicle selection – All automakers now offer electric models; popular picks providing 225+ mile ranges under $60k include Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

• Current incentives – No state rebates yet but Xcel Energy offers a $400 EV charger installation discount. Pending 2023 legislation may introduce a $2,500 state tax credit.

• Winter range loss – Recent EVs deliver at least 70-80% of max range in freezing temps so needs are still met with new battery thermal management tech.

For many MN drivers, an EV can provide environmental benefits, lower fueling costs, high-tech features, and convenient home charging without range anxiety – especially as charging infrastructure continues improving across the state in coming years.

Now let‘s explore the details…

Charging Infrastructure Poised for Growth

As an EV owner, reliable access to charging stations for community commutes or travel is critical. The good news is Minnesota continues investing substantially in charging infrastructure including stations offering high-speed DC fast charging.

According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center [1], Minnesota currently has 2,955 public EV charging ports available across the state as of January 2023. This includes 786 Level 2 charging plugs providing 10-35 mile range per hour of charging as well as 75 DC Fast Charge ports which can add 60-80 miles of range in just 15-30 minutes.

Nearly half the state‘s ports are still concentrated in the greater Minneapolis area today. However, ongoing initiatives are rapidly improving access in other regions:

• The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has invested over $5 million since 2019 on increasing fast charging availability along major highways and travel corridors [2].

• Minnesota will receive $47 million from the Volkswagen emissions settlement fund by 2028 focused primarily on reducing transportation emissions through EV infrastructure projects [3].

• The state also has funding guaranteed through the $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law via the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. Minnesota will receive between $50-100 million for EV charging deployment through NEVI by 2028 which should greatly expand statewide access [4].

These investments will continue growing Minnesota‘s EV charging network with an emphasis on enabling long distance electric travel to regional destinations.

EV Model Options and Ownership Costs

A variety of electric vehicles now offer 225 miles or more driving range at relatively affordable prices suitable for daily needs in Minnesota. Compared to the average gasoline vehicle costing 10-15 cents per mile fueling cost, electricity prices here make EVs very inexpensive to power on a per mile basis.

Here is an overview of total ownership costs among top selling EV options in Minnesota:

As you can see, capable EVs are now available under $30,000 like the Nissan Leaf or at luxury price points like the Tesla Model X. Importantly, mainstream options from Ford, Hyundai, Kia and more now surpass 275+ mile ranges for less than $55,000 providing practicality for most Minnesota driving needs.

Home charging costs are also very inexpensive at just $0.14 per kWh in Minnesota. Even larger battery EVs like the Mustang Mach E require less than $10 to charge from empty at home. Local electricity rates keep operating costs exceptionally low.

On the other hand, public DC fast charging offers necessary flexibility and speed at a higher cost of around $0.26 per kWh. Expect to pay between $20-30 to quick charge at public stations which is quite comparable to fueling a traditional gasoline vehicle.

Purchase Incentives and EV Charging Perks

For further savings, Minnesota does not yet offer direct purchase rebates but there are a few other incentives EV owners can utilize:

• Potential $2,500 State EV Tax Credit – As of 2023, Minnesota is considering legislation to introduce a $2,500 state income tax credit spread over 3 years to anyone purchasing a new EV [5]. If approved, this would help offset higher upfront vehicle prices.

• Xcel Charger Rebate – Electric utility Xcel Energy provides Minnesota EV owners a rebate up to $400 on purchasing and installing a home charging station [6]. Faster L2 home chargers maximize savings versus public charging costs.

• HOV Lane Access – EV drivers have permissions to use High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on highways regardless of passenger count as another small but useful perk [7].

In addition, businesses like Target, Best Buy, Ikea and others are beginning to offer free public EV charging access for customers as an additional timesaving benefit [8].

Yes, EVs Work Well Year-Round in Minnesota

Considering Minnesota‘s often harsh winters, it‘s fair to question whether electric vehicles can truly handle extreme cold, snow, and ice reliably. The answer is YES – modern EVs have advanced enough to drive smoothly across seasons.

Advances in battery thermal management now precondition cells to optimal temperatures for charging and discharging power. Inside the cozy cabin, heat pump climate control systems circulate warmth without draining driving range.

Consumer Reports and other outlets have tested the latest EV models to show respectable performance in below freezing weather [9]:

• 208+ mile EVs deliver at least 70-80% of max range even in extreme cold.
• Speed reduces range further but normal commuting is very feasible.
• Cabin pre-heating before drives reduces momentary battery load spikes.
• Regenerative braking can be reduced to increase stability on slick roads.
• Winter tires for any vehicle remain highly recommended.

While more extreme weather still impacts an EV‘s maximum possible range, the reality is automakers have developed battery and climate innovations so cold itself does not disable an EV whatsoever for safe winter driving. Some simple best practices make them very livable year-round.

Bottom Line on Owning an EV in MN

Considering home and public charging availability, improve statewide infrastructure, capable electric vehicle product options, modest ownership costs, and fully feasible winter performance, the case for switching to an EV in 2023 and beyond is quite compelling for many Minnesota drivers able to charge at home regularly.

EVs make "cents" saving households thousands per year fueling with cheap electricity versus gasoline. Maintenance needs are also reduced without complex engines or exhaust systems to worry over time. Environmental benefits appeal to most as well.

As more residents adopt electric vehicles, momentum continues building towards EVs eventually dominating local roads. For now in Minnesota, owning and operating an EV provides a positive experience letting owners tap into advanced transportation technology in all seasons.

Consider taking the electrified mobility future for a test drive yourself to evaluate if modern EVs are a personal fit!

Sources