Minnesota Hybrid Electric Vehicle Laws and Incentives
State Laws and Regulations
Electric Vehicle (EV) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Transportation Analysis
The Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation is required to conduct a study, in collaboration with other state agencies and stakeholders, to evaluate the current and long-range needs of the state's transportation system, and investigate possible strategies to meet these needs. The study must include the following: 1) identification of options for maintenance and improvement of the state's transportation system, specifically regarding the effects of potential increases in vehicle fuel economy, availability of alternative modes of transportation, and extreme fuel price volatility on future transportation revenues; 2) identification of financial options with particular consideration of environmental impacts such as air and water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions; and 3) evaluation of the impact of the use of EVs and PHEVs on the current funding mechanisms for the state's roadways and an analysis of methods to mitigate the impact. The results of the study are due to the legislature by November 1, 2009. (Reference House File 1250, 2009, and Minnesota Laws 2008, Chapter 287, Article 1, Section 118)
Clean Energy Collaborative
The Governor's Clean Energy Technology Collaborative (Collaborative) was created for experts to discuss issues that impact the development of new clean energy technologies that utilize Minnesota expertise, Minnesota resources, and benefit Minnesota by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Collaborative provides the Governor with advice and recommendations on matters relating to advances in technology and research in order to achieve Minnesota's long-term clean energy goals, including reducing GHG emissions by 80% by 2050 and generating 25% of Minnesota energy from renewable energy resources by the year 2025. (Reference Executive Order 08-04, 2008)
Hydrogen Energy Plan
The Minnesota Department of Administration is required to identify opportunities for demonstrating the use of hydrogen fuel cells within state-owned facilities, vehicle fleets, and operations. The Department of Administration is required to purchase and demonstrate hydrogen, fuel cells, and related technologies in ways that strategically contribute to realizing Minnesota's hydrogen economy goals. Additionally, the state Department of Commerce (DOC) is expected to report to the legislature every two years with a list of proposed pilot projects that contribute to realizing these goals, including those demonstrating technologies such as hybrid-electric, off-road, and fleet vehicles operating on hydrogen or fuels blended with hydrogen.
The DOC is authorized to accept federal funds, expend funds, and participate in projects to design, develop, and construct multi-fuel hydrogen fueling stations that eventually link urban centers along key trade corridors across the jurisdictions of Manitoba, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. These energy stations should accommodate a wide variety of vehicle technologies and fueling platforms, including hybrid, flexible fuel, and fuel cell vehicles. They may offer, but not be limited to, gasoline, diesel, ethanol (E85), biodiesel, and hydrogen, and may simultaneously test the integration of on-site combined heat and power technologies with the existing energy infrastructure.
The state's public research and higher education institutions are encouraged to collaborate to establish a regional energy research and education partnership for the production of renewable energy and products, including hydrogen, fuel cells, and related technologies. The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is encouraged to develop a fuel cell curriculum pilot program.
(Reference Minnesota Statutes 216B.811 to 216B.815)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Initiatives
All solicitation documents that include the purchase of passenger automobiles issued under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Department of Administration after June 30, 2006, must assert the intention of the state to begin purchasing EVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) as soon as they become commercially available. The vehicles must first meet the state's performance specifications and be priced no more than 10% above the price for comparable gasoline-powered vehicles.
An EV is defined as a motor vehicle that is able to be powered by an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells, or other portable sources of electrical current, and meets or exceeds applicable requirements in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 571, and future regulations.
A PHEV is defined as an EV containing an internal combustion engine that also allows power to be delivered to the drive wheels by a battery-powered electric motor. When connected to the electrical grid via an electrical outlet the vehicle must be able to recharge its battery. The vehicle must have the ability to travel at least 20 miles, powered substantially by electricity.
(Reference House File 1250, 2009, Minnesota Laws) 2006, Chapter 245, and Minnesota Statutes 169.011
State Agency Energy Plan and Vehicle Acquisition Priorities
State agencies are required to use alternative fuels, including B20-B100 biodiesel blends, compressed or liquefied natural gas, E70-E100 ethanol blends, hydrogen, or liquefied petroleum gas, to operate state motor vehicles if the clean fuels are reasonably available at comparable costs to conventional fuels and are compatible with the intended use of the motor vehicle. Additionally, state agencies are required to purchase alternative fuel vehicles, which include those capable of being powered by the fuels listed above or motor vehicles powered by electricity or by a combination of electricity and liquid fuel, if such a motor vehicle is reasonably available at comparable costs to other vehicles and if the vehicle is capable of carrying out the purpose for which it is purchased. (Reference Minnesota Statutes 16C.135)
