Best Practice Action 23.5
GreenStep City Best Practices: Environmental Management
Local Air Quality No. 23
Prevent generation of local air contaminants so as to improve community health.
Best Practice Action Detail
Best Practice Action 5
Install, assist with and promote publicly available EV charging stations or public fueling stations for alternative fuel vehicles.
Planning:
- See Drive Electric Minnesota for resources on EVs and public EV charging stations.
- For EVs and all fuels/vehicles see Alternative Fuel Vehicle Readiness: A Guidebook for Municipalities (NJTPA: 2017).
- See also elements of making your city an EV-ready city and which MN communities have EV charging infrastructure in the EV City Resource Database.
- The Charging Forward: A toolkit for planning and funding urban electric mobility infrastructure (U.S. DOT, 2023) and Charging Forward: A Toolkit for Planning and Funding Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure (2022) serve as one-stop resources to help urban and rural communities scope, plan, and identify ways to fund EV charging infrastructure, supporting diverse forms of electric mobility including transit.
- Siting Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) with Equity in Mind (ACEEE, 2021)
- Use the MPCA Air Pollution Score on the Environmental Justice Areas of Concern Map (MPCA) to locate areas for targeted assistance and incentives.
- EVs drive everywhere fuel cars drive. Encourage adding EV chargers everywhere cars drive including gas stations and other commonly frequented locations.
- Level 2 EV chargers at businesses can be really beneficial as well as good promotion for the business and EV use. Encourage placing level 2 EV chargers at everywhere from grocery stores to malls and everywhere in between.
- Refueling infrastructure financial assistance for retailers of E85 and other ethanol blends in your city is available through the American Lung Association and is matched with contributions from the MN Corn Growers Association.
Promotion:
List publicly available EV chargers at PlugShare and the EPA Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC).
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Work with others to place 1 city owned/operated electric vehicle charging station at a high use area; promote the existence of all fueling options such as compressed natural gas in/around the city. |
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EV charging stations at 2 or more city-owned/operated locations or a Level 3 DC Quick Charge station; power at least 1 station with renewable electricity. |
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Report the installation of 4+ city-owned/operated stations; connect at least 1 station to on-site renewable generation such as PV panels; require EV charging infrastructure in multi-unit dwellings; install or require developments to provide on-street EV charging infrastructure - especially near multi-family housing, commercial corridors, and low-income neighborhoods. |
Who's doing it
Duluth -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2013
Implementation details:
2019 Update: Canal Park now has 7 level 2 chargers and 1 DC fast charger that are connected to a 45kW PV solar array. 8 stations have been added at the Duluth Transportation Center Public Parking structure which are not connected to PV.
There has been a ChargePoint charging station, installed, owned, and operated by the City, at the Duluth Library/Depot Parking Structure (at the west end of the downtown area) since mid-2013; it is capable of charging at both 120- and 240-volt levels.
The City also has plans to install five more charging stations for public use in 2017.
There has been a ChargePoint charging station, installed, owned, and operated by the City, at the Duluth Library/Depot Parking Structure (at the west end of the downtown area) since mid-2013; it is capable of charging at both 120- and 240-volt levels.
The City also has plans to install five more charging stations for public use in 2017.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alex Jackson, Energy Coordinator (City staff) | ajackson@DuluthMN.gov | 218-730-4433
Partners:
Morris -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
In April 2018, the City of Morris (and Ottertail Power Company) helped facilitate the installation of a public, free EV charging system at Willie's Supervalu in Morris.
UMM has multiple free, networked EV charging stations, and West Central Research and Outreach Center has both a level 3 DC fast charger and a level 2 charger, both of which are connected to on-site solar PV.
UMM has multiple free, networked EV charging stations, and West Central Research and Outreach Center has both a level 3 DC fast charger and a level 2 charger, both of which are connected to on-site solar PV.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Blaine Hill (City staff) | bhill@ci.morris.mn.us | 320-589-3141
Partners: UMN-Morris, WCROC, Ottertail Power Company, Willie's Supervalu
Austin -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The station is a dual charging station, meaning two vehicles can charge at one time. The electric usage from the charging station will be offset with energy generated by the 1.65 kW solar array. Since it’s activation in January, the station has been used 48 times and discharged 175 kWh of charge. The solar panels have produced 1207 kWh.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Janet Anderson (Community volunteer) | janetanderson2840@gmail.com | 5072190680
Partners: Riverland Community College; Hormel Foundation; CERTs; Southern MN Electric; Werner Electric Supply
Bemidji -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The City of Bemidji has 4 public electric vehicle charging stations and multiple other charging stations installed and operated by private entities.
City hall, located in downtown Bemidji, has two 50 kW DC charging stations and one 12 kW AC station available to the public.
The City of Bemidji also has installed and operated a level 2 charging station near the iconic Paul and Babe statues.
City hall, located in downtown Bemidji, has two 50 kW DC charging stations and one 12 kW AC station available to the public.
The City of Bemidji also has installed and operated a level 2 charging station near the iconic Paul and Babe statues.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/electric-vehicle-charging-stations-now-available-bemidji
For more information contact:
Michelle Miller (City staff) | michelle.miller@ci.bemidji.mn.us | 218-759-3561
Partners:
Coon Rapids -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The City installed 2 public electric vehicle charging stations in 2020 at the City Civic Center and City Ice Arena.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Olivia Dorow Hovland (City Staff) | odorowhovland@coonrapidsmn.gov | 763-767-6458
Partners:
East Grand Forks -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
East Grand Forks Water and Light and Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) are working together to install two electric vehicle charging stations within the city of East Grand Forks. One charging station with be installed within a city owned parking lot by the city's popular movie theater and restaurants. The second charging station will be located at a Fairfield Inn by Highway 2. These level 2 charging stations will be available for use in November 2021.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Kevin Hatcher (City Staff) | khatcher@egf.mn | 218-773-1163
Partners: Minnesota Municipal Power Agency
Edina -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
Increased the number of public EV charging points (installed) within the City. Locations with EV charging spots now include the Edina City Hall, Public Works, and 2 of the 3 Edina Liquor Stores.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Grace Hancock (City Staff) | ghancock@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Partners:
Elk River -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
Elk River Municipal Utilities installed two public charging stations in Elk River on two different major corridors in the city. One charger is a level 2 in our downtown area and the other is a DC fast charger in a Coborn's parking lot. The City helped promote the use of these chargers and assisted with the ERMU's kick off event at the downtown charging locations.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Our Elk River Municipal Utilities continues to monitor the use of both charging stations.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.elkriverutilities.com/electric-vehicle-charging
For more information contact:
Amanda Bednar (City staff) | ABednar@ElkRiverMN.gov | 763-635-1068
Partners: Elk River Municipal Utilities
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Between 2020 and 2022, the Fond du Lac Band supervised the installation of 14 different EV charging stations on reservation lands. These included six Level 2 stations: two in Black Bear Casino's parking garage, two at the FdL Tribal Center, and two at Min No Aya Win Clinic. Through a partnership with Tesla, in August of 2021, the Band had a Tesla Super Charging Station installed at Black Bear Casino, consisting of 8 Tesla V3 chargers, with one stall useable for trailer towing vehicles.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112
Partners: Benson Electric Company, ZEF Energy, and Tesla.
Minnetonka -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
In 2022, the City of Minnetonka installed six electric vehicle chargers on city owned property (three level 2 chargers and three DC fast chargers). The chargers are located near the Central Fire Station, Minnetonka Community Center, and Williston Fitness Center. The chargers are used by the city's two electric vehicles and are available for public use.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Drew Ingvalson (City staff) | dingvalson@eminnetonka.com | 952-939-8293
Partners:
Moorhead -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
A level 3 DC quick charge station was installed at the intersection of Hwy 75 and Interstate 94 at the Holiday Mall in Moorhead. The project was installed by Zef Energy as part of the Michigan to Montana I-94 Clean Fuel Corridor, which provides drivers with alternative fuel sources across a 1,500 mile stretch between Port Huron, MI, and Billings, MT. Funding was provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as by Moorhead Public Service and Missouri River Energy Services.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.westfargopioneer.com/business/transportation/4474447-moorhead-get-high-powered-electric-car-charging-station
For more information contact:
Dan Mahli (City staff) | dan.mahli@cityofmoorhead.com | 218-299-5314
Partners: Zef Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Missouri River Energy Services, Moorhead Public Service
Pine City -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Level 2 EV Plug and DC Fast Charger (domestic and import EVs). The first DC fast charger between the Twin Cities and Duluth-Superior. The Level 2 is free for public use and it costs $0.20/min. for the fast charger.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Zef Energy reports steady usage of the station even prior to its official launch. Plugshare.com reviews are very favorable.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: www.plugshare.com
For more information contact:
Andrew Mack, AICP (City staff) | Amack@pinecitygov.com | 320-629-2575
Partners: Zef Energy, Pine County, Mn/DOT, East Central Energy, Family Pathways
Robbinsdale -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
There are 12 publicly available electric vehicle charging ports in Robbinsdale and one public alternative fueling station. The City has updated electric vehicle information on the City website.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.robbinsdalemn.com/city-government/city-departments/sustainability/electric-vehicles
For more information contact:
Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654
Partners:
Rochester -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Rochester currently has three public charging stations. One of the stations is located downtown, the second is located at RPU customer parking, and the third is located on the Rochester community and technical college campus.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/s1920539.shtml
For more information contact:
Tony Benson (City staff) | tbenson@rpu.org | 507-280-1534
Partners:
Saint Cloud -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
There are two electric vehicle charging stations on city-owned property. At Riverside Park, there are two level 2 charging stations owned by the City. River's Edge South Lot, a city-owned parking lot in downtown St. Cloud, has a level 2 charger and a fast charger for public use. The City encourages the use of alternative fuels. The St. Cloud Metropolitain Transit Commission fuels public transportation with compressed natural gas and offers a compressed natural gas fueling station to the public. St. Cloud is also working on a green hydrogen project, which will make green hydrogen fuel available for public use in the community.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/1660/Energy-Services
For more information contact:
Liz Kramer (City staff) | elizabeth.kramer@ci.stcloud.mn.us | 320-255-7226
Partners: St. Cloud Metropolitain Transit Commission; Zef Energy
Saint Peter -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
The city is working with Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) to bring electric vehicle charging stations into St. Peter, which is considered a prime location, with HWy. 169 running through the heart of the community. SMMPA has expressed a commitment to paying for annual maintenance of the stations and will pay for at least some of the first chargers brought into the community.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Todd Prafke (City Staff) | barbaral@saintpetermn.gov | 507-934-0663
Partners: SMMPA
Shakopee -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
The City of Shakopee along with Shakopee Public Utilities and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has installed four Level 2 EV chargers with two at a city-owned parking lot (Lewis Street) downtown and two at the Community Center.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The City has provided four Level 2 EV charging stations for public use at locations where people heavily traffic for extended periods of time.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Andrew Boucher (City Staff) | info@shakopeemn.gov | 952-233-9300
Partners: Shakopee Public Utilities; Cities Charging Ahead; Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Detroit Lakes -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
With the help of the MPCA grant money, ZEF energy has installed a publicly available Electric Vehicle Charging Station.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Bridget Penton (City Staff) | bpenton@cityofdetroitlakes.com | 218-846-7133
Partners: ZEF Energy
Fergus Falls -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Fergus Falls has added flex-fuel vehicles into our fleet. A CNG facility has recently opened in the city and we will be working closely with them as technology evolves.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Len Taylor (City Staff) | len.taylor@fergusfallsmn.gov | 218-332-5418
Partners:
Golden Valley -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
The City has recently installed an Electric Vehicle charger on the north side of the City Hall parking lot, west of the water tower. It is a 240 Volt dual charging station, capable of charging two vehicles at once. The rates for charging will be 90 cents per hour for the first three hours, and $1.20 per hour afterwards.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Drew Chirpich (City staff) | dchirpich@goldenvalleymn.gov | 763-593-8044
Partners:
Granite Falls -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
The city received a grant from the MPCA to install our first and only Electric Vehicle Charging station for 2022. Once installed, the EV will be promoted to the community as an alternative fuel vehicle.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Crystal Johnson (City staff) | crystal.johnson@granitefalls.com | 320-56-3011
Partners: MPCA
Hopkins -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Hopkins has two designated electric car permit stalls with electrical outlets located in the public parking ramp. Currently one individual uses the charging station.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.hopkinsmn.com/transportation/parking.php
For more information contact:
Chuck Autio (City staff) | Cautio@hopkinsmn.com | 952-548-6378
Partners:
Hutchinson -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Hutchinson recently placed its first EV charging station in a public park on Main Street. This placement allows for a high traffic location to accommodate anyone who may be passing through town. The charging station features two chargers connected to the on station so two people could charge at once.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Partners:
La Crescent -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Promoting EV charging stations...https://www.cityoflacrescent-mn.gov/businesses-with-ev-charging-stations/
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.cityoflacrescent-mn.gov/businesses-with-ev-charging-stations/
For more information contact:
Angie Boettcher (City staff) | ABoettcher@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov | (507) 895-2224
Partners:
New Prague -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
The City provides assistance to businesses who would like to integrate EV charges into their businesses. In 2021, Coborn's Grocery and City Hall became the first businesses that provided EV charging stations for customers/citizens to use.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Joshua Tetzlaff (City Staff) | jtetzlaff@ci.new-prague.mn.us | 952.758.4401
Partners:
Northfield -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
These two stations which are installed at one high use locations were installed on the Carleton College campus in 2009.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://apps.carleton.edu/transportation/?option=electric
For more information contact:
Beth Kallestad (City staff) | beth.kallestad@ci.northfield.mn.us | 507-645-3074
Partners: Carleton College, ChargePoint
Saint Louis Park -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City just installed 2 electric charging stations at City Hall. These stations will be available (on) during business hours and large events held at City Hall.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
number of electric vehicle charging occurences.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Emily Ziring (City Staff) | eziring@stlouispark.org | 952-924-2191
Partners: Xcel
Savage -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
In January 2022, Two public dual-port charging stations were installed at City Hall.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.plugshare.com/location/355503
For more information contact:
Trent Jutting (City Staff) | tjutting@cityofsavage.com | 9522243404
Partners: Chargepoint
West Saint Paul -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
Thompson County Park located in the City of West St. Paul currently has two electric vehicle charging stations.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://afdc.energy.gov/stations#/station/79985
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118
Partners: Dakota County
Greenstep Advisor
Tyler Ellis, Neighborhood Air Pollution Lead, MN Pollution Control Agency: 651/757-2191, tyler.ellis@state.mn.us